How Is Jack Presented in the Novel and How Does His Character Change

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How is Jack presented in the novel and how does his character change? Intro Jack Merridew is a very interesting character. He agrees with having rules in the beginning, and what will happen if people break them. He is a natural leader like Ralph but unlike Ralph he is not so democratic, he is more authoritative. It's easy to see that he wanted to be voted as chief and is deeply offended and embarrassed when Ralph is chosen instead. As the book develops he becomes obsessed with hunting, going off by himself sometimes to hunt when the others have gone back to camp to build shelters. Where Ralph obsesses with rescue, Jack obsesses with meat. In the end Jack gives in fully to his primal nature and leads the rest of the boys into their decent to savagery. Paragraph 1 – Language Jacks language and feelings at the beginning of the book foreshadows his violent behaviour that occurs later on in the novel. At the beginning of the novel Jack is humiliated by Ralph when Ralph is elected to be chief, suggesting that there might be tension between the boys later in the novel. This is implied when “Jacks face disappeared under a blush of mortification”. The word mortification means a feeling of humiliation or shame, as through some injury to one's pride or self-respect. This shows that Jack was hurt that the other boys did not choose him to be chief as he was leader of the choir boys. As Jack was humiliated by Ralph it suggests that there might be some tension later on in the novel between the two boys. Furthermore Jacks language also suggests violence towards the other boys. This is suggested when Jacks shouts “Shut up, Fatty” at Piggy. This insult is harsh as Piggy didn’t have the same upbringing as the other boys. Piggy was brought up in a sweet shop with his auntie, whereas the other boys were all brought up in a posh private school. As a result of Jack insulting Piggy’s

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