Ralph and Jack are both powerful and meaningful characters in William Golding's classic novel, Lord of the Flies. Ralph is an excellent leader; responsible, and stands for all that is good. Jack is a destructive hunter, selfish, and represents evil. These two main characters can be compared by the actions they take as leaders, their personalities, and what they symbolise in the story.

Ralph first takes on the position as leader at the beginning of the story, when the rest of the boys vote him in as chief. He carries this position until Jack and his fellow hunters break away from the group. Ralph makes it his job to set out the rules to organise a society. Ralph always thinks of what is best for everyone and how they will all benefit from his decisions. Jack, on the other hand, takes on the idea of every man for himself. Rules and standards are set when Ralph is the chief. He orders the group to build the basic necessities of civilisation, shelters, and most importantly to keep the fire going, in hope that they will be rescued and return to humanity. " But I tell you that smoke is more important than the pig, however often you kill one (Golding pg .75)" Jack on the other hand,

As chief, he knows right from wrong. When everyone followed Jack except for Piggy, Samneric and himself, he did not just give up and follow what he knew was wrong, he tried to reason with the rest of the boys and tried to talk some sense into them. At the end of the novel though, he too realises that man is not a kind creature by nature. "...Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart...(Golding pg. 223)."

Another difference found is that Ralph symbolises innocence, whereas Jack symbolises experience and the inner shadow that Golding believes everyone has. "Jack represents the id of one's personality-he supports the notion that one's desires are most important and should be followed, regardless of reason or morals."* Ralph represents Piggy and Simon, the good side of the boys. Simon is pure, and the only one who realises what the beast really is. Piggy is the voice of reason and stands for the world the boys once knew- adults, discipline, rules and civilisation. Jack's accomplice is Roger, a boy who soon forgets the standards and morals he once knew and becomes inhumane, throwing rocks at people and even killing Piggy without any remorse. (After Piggy's death) "See? See? That's what you'll get! I meant that! There isn't a tribe for you anymore! The conch is gone- (Golding pg. 200)." Jack (and his tribe) represent anarchy.

Though the boys are quite unlike and symbolise opposite things, they are both distinct individuals who are of great importance to the novel. The two characters demonstrate the diff

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Approximate Word count = 1047
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)