Ralph and Jack are two contrasting characters. They symbolize the two extremes of humankind. When we are introduced to them, the text provides clear descriptors which distinguish the two.
In chapter one, Ralph is described as follows:
The boy with fair hair...
The fair boy stopped...
Throughout the chapter, the word 'fair' is repeated to emphasize not only what Ralph looks like, but also to suggest his inner nature. The word tells us that, in character, Ralph is not rash or prejudiced and that he judges others equally. One expects that he would provide a reasonable assessment of things and that his perspective would be balanced and that he would seek equitable solutions to problems or situations.
Ralph is further described as follows:
He was old enough, twelve years and a few months, to have lost the prominent tummy of childhood and not yet old enough for adolescence to have made him awkward. You could see now that he might make a boxer, as far as width and heaviness of shoulders went, but there was a mildness about his mouth and eyes that proclaimed no devil.
Clearly, Ralph does not seem to possess any element of evil although he has the physique to exercise power.
In contrast, the reference to Jack, as part of a group of approaching boys, reads:
Here, the eye was first attracted to a black, bat-like creature that danced on the sand, and only later perceived the body above it. The bat was the child’s shadow, shrunk by the vertical sun to a patch between the hurrying feet.
The focus on darkness and creatures associated with the dark is pertinent. The contrast between the 'fair' and 'black, bat-like creature' cannot be more obvious. The reference to darkness suggests something malevolent and the disparity to 'proclaimed no devil' is clear. The distinction between the two boys is emphasized.
Jack was wearing a black cloak, which further brings up the image of someone veiled in and surrounded by, darkness. The image forebodes the occurrence of something wicked, just like the cloak of a magician or witch would signify an indulgence with dark forces.
Physically, Jack is also different to Ralph:
Inside the floating cloak he was tall, thin, and bony; and his hair was red beneath the black cap. His face was crumpled and freckled, and ugly without silliness. Out of this face stared two light blue eyes, frustrated now, and turning, or ready to turn, to anger.
Ralph had been painted as wholesome and athletic whilst Jack seems almost skeletal and, with his cloak, could be a representation of some creature of the dark, hungry and lean. Furthermore, Jack's features are much more pronounced - red hair and eyes which could easily turn to anger, suggests someone aggressive and short-tempered.
As the novel progresses, we discover that these descriptions are accurate indicators as to the nature of the two boys and how dissimilar they were. Since the two are the most distinguishable of all the boys, it stands to reason that they would vie for leadership. In the end, it is Ralph who is chosen. This, however, does no deter Jack from later forming a splinter group, the hunters, who he dominates completely.
This act by Jack also indicates his selfish nature for he wants to hunt and have fun whilst Ralph is more concerned about keeping a signal fire burning and building shelters. It becomes important for Ralph to maintain rules and create order, whilst Jack wants to do as he pleases.
These two contrasting approaches lead to conflict between the two boys.
“You wouldn’t care to help with the shelters, I suppose?”
“We want meat—”
“And we don’t get it.”
Now the antagonism was audible.
“But I shall! Next time! I’ve got to get a barb on this spear! We wounded a pig and the spear fell out. If we could only make barbs— ” “We need shelters.”
Suddenly Jack shouted in rage.
“Are you accusing—?”
“All I’m saying is we’ve worked dashed hard. That’s all.”
They were both red in the face and found looking at each other diffi- cult.
Jack becomes immersed in hunting and neglects doing his duty. he takes a number of boys with him and when they return with a slain pig, the fire had gone out at a time when a ship passed by the island. The antagonism between the boys increase as a result. Ralph is bitter for he feels that they could have been rescued. Jack apologizes for his irresponsible actions later, but the battle lines have clearly been drawn.
Jack's obsession with shedding blood grows and he and his hunters later isolate themselves from the other boys. They paint their faces and become savages. The island is divided in to two distinct camps - one which seeks rescue and wants to maintain order, led by Ralph, and the other that is brutal and does not care, led by Jack.
Eventually, Jack uses force and intimidation to isolate Ralph. He sees him as a threat and decides that he should be done away with. Ralph, in his vulnerable state, is saved by the arrival of a naval officer which also ends the conflict. The boys are rescued and taken back to civilization.
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