Power and Leadership Flashcards
What does the character of Ralph symbolise?
democracy
What does the character of Jack represent?
authoritarianism
What does Golding seem to suggest although it does more harm than good?
Golding seems to suggest people are more attracted to the powerful rule of autocracy
What does Golding use the first few chapters of the novel for?
in the first few chapters Golding explores the power struggle between Ralph and Jack
Why does Ralph feel he deserves the role of a leader?
Ralph feels he deserves it because he is attempting to create a functioning society that benefits all the boys
Why does Jack feel he deserves the role of a leader?
Jack feels he deserves the role because he is the most powerful (he is one of the tallest and oldest of the children), and because he already leads a group (the choir)
How does Ralph represent a democratically elected politician?
he is elected by a majority of the other boys in chapter 1
he sets up rules and shares out responsibilities
he attempts to do what is best for the group
How does Jack represent an anti-democratic autocrat?
he is seen commanding the choir from the outset of the novel:
in chapter 1 Jack is described as “controlling” the choir while marching them along the beach
he quickly loses interest in the rules set out by Ralph and Piggy
in chapter 8 he fails to recognise Ralph’s (democratically elected) leadership any longer
How does Ralph and Jack’s leadership styles contradict each other?
Ralph is measured where Jack is impulsive
Ralph is rational where Jack is unthinking
Ralph focuses on collective responsibility while Jack prioritises personal freedom
What does the conch shell (which is associated with Ralph) represent?
the conch shell represents democracy and free speech: everyone is allowed a voice in Ralph’s system of government
How does the spear (which represents Jack) represent his authoritarian rule?
his rule is not based on shared responsibility and collective decision-making, but on threats, violence and torture
How does the boulder that kills Piggy and destroys the conch represent the victory of authoritarianism over democracy?
this represents the victory of authoritarianism over democracy
it also represents the total rejection of the civilised government Ralph was trying to establish
What does Golding explore throughout the novel for the theme of power and leadership?
overall Golding is exploring whether human beings naturally choose community and collective responsibility over self-interest
What does Ralph’s style of leadership require?
Ralph’s style of leadership requires hard work from the boys, and doesn’t offer instant rewards
completing chores and following rules will benefit all the boys eventually, but Golding suggests that human beings prefer instant gratification
What does Jack’s style of leadership offer to the boys and become what the boys choose?
Jack’s style of leadership offers the boys total freedom from order and a rule-bound, collectivist society
this is ironic, given that Jack’s tribe is not free at all (they have to do exactly what he orders) and any boy who goes against his wishes is punished
What does Golding argue through the theme of power and leadership?
Golding argues that – given the choice – human beings will reject altruism over individualism:
creating a functional society requires sacrifice, which is arduous
however, the absence of rules and responsibilities creates an environment in which autocrats can thrive
However, the personal freedom offered by autocrats is illusory:
far from being free of rules and responsibilities, Golding argues that life under autocracy is more harmful than the alternative, democracy
RALPH: ‘I’m Chief…’
. I was chosen.
RALPH: ‘We ought to have…’
more rules
ABOUT RALPH: ‘‘the…boy’
fair
ABOUT RALPH: ‘his…was plastered over his eyebrows and he…’
fair hair
pushed it back
‘most powerfully, there was the…’
conch
‘exploded into…fragments’
thousand white
ABOUT RALPH: ‘the weight of Ralph’s…brought…’
new authority
light and happiness
JACK: ‘We’ll close in and beat…’
and beat and beat
