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Fiona Campbell September 18, 2013 English E Block Most people like to be in control of their life, and sometimes when things dont go their way, people will adapt to the situation. A good example of this kind of person would be Jack, from Goldings Lord of the Flies. Jacks levels of aggression are nonexistent in the beginning of the book, and then near the end, grow to a climax. Jack is just trying to be a leader in all times in this book, but he does it in two different ways; the first being simply because he needs some form of normality, the second being in total command of the situation. The reader gets the impression that Jack has been a leader before, and it says that he was the leader of the choir and also a head boy, because Im chapter chorister and head boy. In the first few chapters of the book Jack doesnt show that much aggression; it can be argued that he is cruel, but if you look at, Choir, stand still! Wearily obedient, the choir huddled into line and stood there swaying in the sun (Golding, 20). It could also be Jack trying to regulate some normality into this unexpected and unwelcome change. By holding formation in line, those boys are giving Jack a piece of home, and when they relax and drop their cloaks Jack feels as if he does not have that part of home that he needed to hang onto, like a security blanket for a child. This may also contribute to why he wants to be leader, if he gets that position, he can try to establish some normality, and maybe that is what he wants. But it becomes twisted when he is appointed lead hunter; he wishes to prove himself in any way possible, he thinks he has been given his chance. He does not yet have the strength of will and mind that a man needs to kill another living being, He raised his arm in the air. There came a pause, a hiatus, the pig continued to scream and the creepers to jerk, and the blade continued to flash at the end of a bony arm. The pause was only long enough to for them to understand the enormity the stroke downward would be (Golding, 31). Compared to the mindless, instinctive need to kill that drove him in the last chapters, this is a world away. Compared to the scene where he slaughters the pig, this is a big difference, I cut the pigs throat (Golding, 75). The hunters and Jacks excitement at finally killing something add to the contrast. Before, Jack could not bring himself to spill blood, but now, it is different, he has found a way to lead the boys in something they want to do. He had taken that advantage and committed mutiny, Who thinks Ralph ought not to be chief (Golding, 127). Before, in the first few chapters, Jack wouldnt have done that so brazenly. He is obviously one for following the rules; else he would not be head boy, as mentioned in the first paragraph. Jack is always a leader, and he is used to the respect that comes with it, he gets desperate to have it again, and changes to get it.

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Jack manipulated the boys and changed himself to win them over so they would follow him, but in the very end of the book, A little boy (Jack) who wore the remains of an extraordinary bla ck cap on his red hair and who carried the remains of a pair of spectacles at his waist, started forward, then changed his mind and stood still (Golding, 201). He changes back to the way he was when he realizes his wrong doings. In the frenzy of being chief, he forgot the importance of life, and no human should ever forget that. But even if they had the option to kill or let it go, would they be in control of themselves enough? Works CitedGolding, William. Lord of the Flies. New York: Penguin Group, 1954. Print.