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Jack Merridew Quotes

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Jack Merridew is a complex character in William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies," and his actions and behavior make him a memorable character in the story. This essay will examine why Jack Merridew is a memorable character in the novel, using quotes and explanations to support the points.

Firstly, Jack Merridew is a memorable character because of his ambition for power and his thirst for control. As soon as he arrives on the island, he wants to be the leader of the boys, and he goes to great lengths to achieve this goal. For example, he tries to undermine Ralph's authority and create a separate group of boys who will follow his lead. This ambition is seen in the following quote: "I ought to be chief, said Jack with simple arrogance because I'm chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp" (Golding, 22). This quote demonstrates how Jack believes that he is more qualified to be the leader than …show more content…

He is not afraid to use violence or intimidation to get what he wants, and this makes him a memorable character in the novel. For example, he uses fear to control the other boys when he orders them to kill the pig. This is seen in the following quote: "Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood" (Golding, 72). This quote demonstrates how Jack is willing to use violence and bloodshed to assert his authority and control over the other boys.

Another reason why Jack Merridew is a memorable character is because of his descent into savagery. At the beginning of the novel, he is a civilized and well-mannered choirboy, but as the story progresses, he becomes more savage and animalistic. This descent into savagery is seen in the following quote: "He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling" (Golding, 126). This quote demonstrates how Jack's behavior becomes more animalistic and savage as the story progresses, which makes him a memorable and intriguing

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