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Lord of the Flies Power Quotes Page 1
Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
- Ralph
- >
“Shut up,” said Ralph absently. He lifted the conch. “Seems to me we ought to have a chief to decide things.”
“A chief! A chief!”
“I ought to be chief,” said Jack with simple arrogance, “because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp.” (1.229-231)
Jack’s desire for power is no product of the island; this is a trait that he’s had from the start.
- Ralph
- >
The suffusion drained away from Jack’s face. Ralph waved again for silence.
“Jack’s in charge of the choir. They can be – what do you want them be?”
“Hunters.”
Jack and Ralph smiled at each other with shy liking. The rest began to talk eagerly. (1.254-257)
Ralph and Jack are made similar by their desire for power, but differ in their treatment of that power. Ralph is happy to parcel it out, but Jack will later want it all for himself.
- Jack
- >
“You're no good on a job like this.”
“All the same –”
“We don’t want you,” said Jack, flatly. “Three’s enough.” (1.274-276)
While Ralph and Jack both assert authority over Piggy, Ralph at least tries to explain his reasoning (the mark of a good leader), whereas Jack brings personal insult to the matter (the mark of a bad leader).
