In what way is Lord of the Flies a novel about power? (i.e. How and why is power addressed in the novel?)

Another way to think about power in Lord of the Flies is how power relates to the essential human emotions of love and fear.  

Jack's power derives from the fear he and his henchmen can instill in others. This way of leading promotes unhealthy competition and factionalism, and the instability it creates (both in the novel and in life) is ultimately divisive and ruinous. Golding observes that it seems to be a pattern that...

Another way to think about power in Lord of the Flies is how power relates to the essential human emotions of love and fear.  

Jack's power derives from the fear he and his henchmen can instill in others. This way of leading promotes unhealthy competition and factionalism, and the instability it creates (both in the novel and in life) is ultimately divisive and ruinous. Golding observes that it seems to be a pattern that mankind falls into over and over again. As observed in the novel, without external, punitive controls (adult authority, police, society's expectations), man left to his own devices will seek to acquire and expand power without regard for what it means to others. Jack's narcissism is malignant and plays out over and over again through his brutal approach to controlling others, and the ones who attach themselves to him do so because of their own appetites for brutality—their desire to instill fear instead of experience it. Fear of punishment keeps people in line, in Jack's world.

Ralph's leadership comes from a more loving, democratic place. The root "demos" means people, and Ralph and his followers deem it important to let others have a voice, symbolized in the novel with the conch and the forums where the boys are given an opportunity to offer their own ideas. Simon becomes the embodiment of love, particularly when he promotes peaceful resolutions to problems and focuses on feeding others, both literally and spiritually, soothing their fears rather than promoting them. Ralph seeks to share power and move the boys forward through unity and shared responsibility. Ralph rejects the brutality of Jack's way and challenges him on moral grounds, not out of a personal desire to expand his power.