JACK
PERSONALITY:
Consumed by power & authority
Controlling
Lacks superego
Charismatic
Allows his Id to consume him
Dictator/ Tyrant-
Reckless
Turns to savagery and tribalism
Animalistic
SYMBOLISM OF JACK
Jack is a symbolism of the corrupt nature of soldiers in WW2. Golding
displays his experiences from WW2 and what he’s witnessed in man
through the portrayal of Jack.
His strong-willed and egomaniacal character symbolises the instinct of
savagery.
He feeds of the desire for power and urge for violence. Jacks love for
violence and power are intimately connected and enable him to feel
superior and exalted which ultimately gains him authority and control over
the boys.
QUOTES
“I ought to be chief… because I’m chapter chorister and head
boy” (ch.1)
Jack initially gives the impression he feels entitled and assumes he should
be chief.
“Next time there would be no mercy” (ch.1)
He is determined to kill- shows elements of embedded violence in man.
“The conch doesn’t count on the top of the mountain so you shut
up.” (ch.2)
Jack challenges authority from the start and feels possessive over the
control.
“As for fear… you’ll have to put up with it like the rest of us.”
(ch.5)
Jack is dismissive towards the littluns and lacks empathy and compassion-
unlike Ralph
, “Bollocks to the rules!” (ch.5)
An expletive- has no respect for the rules and is eager to make his own
in order to dominate the island.
“I’m not going to play any longer. Not with you.” (ch.8)
Jacks resorts to childishness- reminds us they are just kids. Where his
superego momentarily returns
“Jack, painted and garlanded, sat there like an idol.” (ch.9)
Descent to savagery as the boys are acting tribal now, almost worshipping
Jack.
“Power lay in the brown swell of his forearms; authority sat on
his shoulders and chattered into his ear like an ape” (ch.9)
Jacks physical appearance is intimidating and portrays dominance.
GOLDINGS MESSAGE:
Golding uses Jack to represent the innate evil in man and how its
embedded into ourselves.
The way savagery and violence is portrayed through Jack acts as a
warning from Golding as he questions what humans are and what
their initial desires/instincts are.
Jack reinforces the idea of nature vs nurture- how the nurturing of
man can only do so much in inflicting good morals and values in
humans.
CONTEXT:
influenced by Goldings past experiences in WW2 and how it had
changed his views on society as he ‘began to see what people were
capable of doing’
Golding may have witnessed the hamartia of humanity and uses
Jack as an embodiment of it.
Jack is a representation of the ‘Drive Theory’- as the pressure of the
boys’ bombarded him, it also increased his internal motivation to
reach a particular goal- ie take control over the boys’.
PERSONALITY:
Consumed by power & authority
Controlling
Lacks superego
Charismatic
Allows his Id to consume him
Dictator/ Tyrant-
Reckless
Turns to savagery and tribalism
Animalistic
SYMBOLISM OF JACK
Jack is a symbolism of the corrupt nature of soldiers in WW2. Golding
displays his experiences from WW2 and what he’s witnessed in man
through the portrayal of Jack.
His strong-willed and egomaniacal character symbolises the instinct of
savagery.
He feeds of the desire for power and urge for violence. Jacks love for
violence and power are intimately connected and enable him to feel
superior and exalted which ultimately gains him authority and control over
the boys.
QUOTES
“I ought to be chief… because I’m chapter chorister and head
boy” (ch.1)
Jack initially gives the impression he feels entitled and assumes he should
be chief.
“Next time there would be no mercy” (ch.1)
He is determined to kill- shows elements of embedded violence in man.
“The conch doesn’t count on the top of the mountain so you shut
up.” (ch.2)
Jack challenges authority from the start and feels possessive over the
control.
“As for fear… you’ll have to put up with it like the rest of us.”
(ch.5)
Jack is dismissive towards the littluns and lacks empathy and compassion-
unlike Ralph
, “Bollocks to the rules!” (ch.5)
An expletive- has no respect for the rules and is eager to make his own
in order to dominate the island.
“I’m not going to play any longer. Not with you.” (ch.8)
Jacks resorts to childishness- reminds us they are just kids. Where his
superego momentarily returns
“Jack, painted and garlanded, sat there like an idol.” (ch.9)
Descent to savagery as the boys are acting tribal now, almost worshipping
Jack.
“Power lay in the brown swell of his forearms; authority sat on
his shoulders and chattered into his ear like an ape” (ch.9)
Jacks physical appearance is intimidating and portrays dominance.
GOLDINGS MESSAGE:
Golding uses Jack to represent the innate evil in man and how its
embedded into ourselves.
The way savagery and violence is portrayed through Jack acts as a
warning from Golding as he questions what humans are and what
their initial desires/instincts are.
Jack reinforces the idea of nature vs nurture- how the nurturing of
man can only do so much in inflicting good morals and values in
humans.
CONTEXT:
influenced by Goldings past experiences in WW2 and how it had
changed his views on society as he ‘began to see what people were
capable of doing’
Golding may have witnessed the hamartia of humanity and uses
Jack as an embodiment of it.
Jack is a representation of the ‘Drive Theory’- as the pressure of the
boys’ bombarded him, it also increased his internal motivation to
reach a particular goal- ie take control over the boys’.
