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Ms. P

AE English 10A

March 3, 2018

Jack, The Psychoanalytic Star

Sigmund Freud’s theory of the unconscious mind has been an extremely useful layout to

explain the levels of consciousness we as humans have. Even when we don’t realize it, out

consciousness will always fall under the id, the ego, or the superego. The psychoanalytic theory

can be displayed in many forms of literature over the years, but a very interesting novel in

which the psychoanalytic theory shows its presence is the The Lord of The Flies.

Though many characters in the novel display one form or another of Freud’s theory, one

of the most intriguing characters to show a manifestation of a level of consciousness is Jack.

With an almost perfect image of young boy behavior without supervision, Jack simply doesn’t

see an urgency to care for the other boys on the island. He is a clear example of the id

manifestation ruled by the pleasure principle. Young Jack is constantly spouting demands at the

other boys, such as; “Go on - now!” (141), “We eat pig!” (83), “You shut up” (42).

Being a demanding child he is, jack constantly makes his desire to be chief very

prominent; always wanted attention, finding pleasure in making fun of others, not seeming to

care much about any of the other boys in the island but himself. Jack never shows any signs of

concern for any of the other boys or their well being. Jack has no morality or sympathy
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whatsoever. An example of this is when he plans to kill the female sow, who happened to be

the only somewhat maternal form of life the boys had on the island. “Fifteen yards from the

drove, Jack stopped , and his armed, straightening, pointed at the sow” (119).

The id is a very powerful form of consciousness; so powerful, it can even be evident in

grown adults. The id is the demanding child, the surface of our mind that doesn’t bother to

think deeper into situations. The id is the easiest and safest place for our fragile human minds

to wonder. Jack is more worried about being in charge, having fun, and keeping only his own

personal desires in his best interest. He is a rational and demanding; no part of him deems

mature enough to consider consequences and be realistic in the midst of a situation,

particularly, being stranded on an island with no guidance at all.