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Lord of the Flies Power Quotes Page 2
Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
- Jack
- >
“A fire! Make a fire!”
At once half the boys were on their feet. Jack clamored among them, the conch forgotten.
“Come on! Follow me!”
The space under the palm trees was full of noise and movement. Ralph was on his feet too, shouting for quiet, but no one heard him. All at once the crowd swayed toward the island and was gone – following Jack. (2.120-123)
Jack takes advantage of impulsive mob mentality to get his way, whereas Ralph appeals to reason.
Henry was a bit of a leader this afternoon, because the other two were Percival and Johnny, the smallest boys on the island […].
Roger and Maurice came out of the forest […]. Roger led the way straight through the [sand] castles, kicking them over, burying the flowers, scattering the chosen stones. Maurice followed, laughing, and added to the destruction. (4.7-8)
On this island, power is gained by tyrannical actions against others.
- Ralph
- >
Ralph pushed Piggy to one side.
“I was chief, and you were going to do what I said.” (4.132-133)
Although Ralph asserts his power here, he does for the sake of the signal fire and the prospect of getting rescued. For Ralph, power is a means to an end, not the end itself.
