What Is Jack's Transformation In Lord Of The Flies

The primary stages of Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies introduce the reader to a group of stranded preadolescent males on an island devoid of adult supervision. Such was an arrogant young man named Jack Merridew, who was rather unappealing in appearance. Eventually, the anarchical juveniles appointed for themselves a chief over them who is named Ralph Bickersly. Jack considers himself deserving of the power and transfigures into the personality of the brutal savage who seeks every opportunity to seize power due to his anger and jealousy. In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding’s message about human nature is that the persuit and lust for authority lead humanity into savagery, as seen in the result of Jack Merridew’s pursuit and desire for power.

To commence, one can observe the periodic transition in Jack’s characteristics as symbolized by his actions toward pigs. In the first chapter of Golding’s novel, Jack Merridew hesitates to stab the squealing and terrified piglet(23-24). However, in the fourth chapter, Jack can be seen mercilessly murdering a sow when he proudly announces, “I cut the pig’s

As written by Golding in the fourth chapter of the novel, “His laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling” after concealing himself in the mask, and “...the mask was its own thing Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness.” (56). Additionally, Bill “blundered away” in reaction to Jack’s fearsome appearance and movement(56-57). It is well-known that masks were associated with tribal communities considered uncivilized or barbaric by Europeans. Likewise, Jack has fully adopted this inhuman image to hide his inner self so that he may have power over the boys. The genuine reaction of another character upon seeing Jack’s altered figure also demonstrates that his strive for supremacy over others has transformed him into a frightening and savage