Lauren Elicks

Persuasive Essay

" He was tall, thin, and bony; and his hair was red beneath the black cap. His face was crumpled and freckled, and ugly without silliness. Out of this face stared two light blue eyes, frustrated now, and turning, or ready to turn to anger." This quote describes the ferocious and violent Jack Merridew in the Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Although Jack portrays natural leadership ability, a civilization run by him would become primitive and chaotic. Jack is extremely violent and uncompassionate, does not think rationally, and refuses to open his mind to other people's ideas and ways to do things.

Jack Merridew is the most insensitive and violent child on the island. Although he is certainly a natural born leader, with the correct instincts, he is untamed and disordered. Unlike a civilized person Jack is described in the book at one point as "ape-like"(49) and " dog-like"(48) and being on " all fours" (48). These uncultured behaviors although may be good for hunting are in no way good actions for someone who has the responsibility of commanding a group. Jack even begins a chant that the other boys follow. When the kill the pig they begin to shout "Kill the pig, Cut her throat, Spill her blood." (69). However because the boys followed Jacks example of killing the pig and chanting they let the fire go out as a ship passed by and squandered a chance for rescue. This is not the correct action for someone who wants to be a leader.

Jack is not capable of thinking about many things at one time, or what is best for the group. He is only capable about thinking about what he wants, which is a dangerous

quality for an influential leader to have, because crucial things that are needed for survival can be can forgotten. Jack is does not think rationally. He acts on impulse and does not think about other options. When he wants something he decides to go for it not thinking about the other people it could affect of whatever else it could do. Although this also shows that others can’t persuade him, and that he knows what he wants when he wants it, this can also be a bad trait. When Ralph and the other older boys go searching for the beast, and the boys get tired of hunting and want to rest and Ralph wants to continue, Jack "led the way down the rock and across the bridge." (108) back down to the beach. Here he shows that he doesn’t take into consideration anyone else but himself. This is also shown right before they go to hunt for the "beastie" and Jack gets impatient and wants to leave. However Ralph points out that they can’t leave because there is no one to take care of the littluns and Jack replies " Sucks to the littluns!" (101) This shows uncouth behavior and does not set a good example for the group, which shows he does not think of anyone but himself.

Jack refuses to open his mind to other people’s ideas and ways of doing things. When Ralph wants to stay at the beach, Jack wants to hunt, when Ralph wants to continue searching, Jack wants to stop. When Ralph and Piggy want to use the conch as a way to keep order jack doesn’t want to and wants to get rid of it. "We don’t need the conch any more. We know who ought to say things. What good did Simon do speaking, or Bill or Walter? It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding to the rest of us." (102) Although this shows good leadership qualities by being head strong, again it is not good when leading a group of influential boys.

Although Jack portrays natural leadership ability, a civilization run by him would become primitive and chaotic. Jack is extremely violent and uncompassionate, does not think rationally, and refuses to open his mind to other people's ideas and ways to do things. His actions are poor for someone who wants to be leader and does not show responsibility.