In William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, several children are stranded on an island after their plane had been shot down. They have no adults to show them how to fend for themselves and must do it on their own, until they are hopefully rescued.
In Lord of the Flies Golding is making a point about how a power system will be needed. More specifically, how will all these young boys be able to create a government type system to help them establish a way to get things done and survive?As soon as the boys all find each other on the beach, their first thought was to elect a leader, “We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. ”(Chapter 2) And like any election there are two opposing sides, Ralph and Jack. Ralph is a more democratic type leader, listening to everyone and keeping their concerns and opinions in mind. While Jack is more anarchy type of ruler, always thinking about himself and his need for power.
Only Jack’s choirboys vote for him, while everyone else votes for Ralph. A conch he called it. He used to blow it and then his mum would come. It's ever is valuable". (Chapter 1 Pg. 11? ) The boys use the conch as a power symbol in their “government”.
The conch represents the power to be called on and to speak, much like a gavel in out courtrooms. The boys were only allowed to speak at meetings if they held the conch, so that there would be some order. “The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away” (Chapter 5) Even though the boys had set up a government, it would not last long.The tension between Jack and Ralph splits them, sending Jack and his followers to another part of the island, and eventually attacking and sending everything into complete chaos.
Golding seems to be showing that even though the boys tried to set up a government and run things correctly, they are still children. Some, like Jack, let their childlike visions of power overcome them and they cared more about ruling over everyone than trying to worry about surviving and getting off the island. The Lord of the Flies, shows greatly.
