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The Defense (Intentionality (his motive: Being on the island, the biggest…
The Defense
Intentionality
his motive: Being on the island, the biggest motive of Jack is to survive and defend himself. With these harsh motives, it should be expected that Jack is to make some questionable decisions and actions. While these actions may be considered evil to an average person, the circumstances Jack is in, are nowhere near average. He does not kill or harm for pure enjoyment, it is his method of surviving on the island.
natural leadership: Jack is one of the oldest on the island. Being one of the eldest among a ton of young children forces Jack's leadership qualities to come out. He must do things in order to protect the rest or to keep in charge. He is not evil, and he has the right intentions. He wants the best for everyone, and in his eyes, this is hunting together and getting food. He hunts pigs for the food of everyone, not just himself.
situational: The boys, being stranded on an island were put in a crazy situation. Being put in such an unexpected situation forces anyone to make rash decisions. No one is going to be 100% prepared for something like this, and not everyone will think rationally. It is to be expected that in times like these, many tough choices will be made, and some morals will be broken in order to survive.
Theories
Freudian Theory
"Don't you want to be rescued? All you talk about is pig, pig, pig!' 'But we want meat!' 'And I work all day with nothing but Simon and you come back and don't even notice the huts!' 'I was working too-'" (53-54)
Ralph and Jack having a small dispute. Id & Ego: Jack is in between ego and id. All he wants to do is hunt which shows him using only his desires, but he is still trying to do something to help the situation. His solution to being on the island is to get pig and hunt, but Ralph wants to be making the huts. These boys seem to be using their own version of Ego.
In chapter two, in pages about 38-40, Jack is commanding people to take action and do things around the island. He gets impatient and somewhat sits back. He eventually joins to make the fire.
This demonstrates some Id in Jack. He expects everyone else to do things. Although, when he is needed, he will join. He tries to organize the jobs, but also doesn't include many big tasks for himself.
*"Far off along the beach, Jack was standing before a small group of boys. He was looking brilliantly happy.. 'We'll hunt. I'm going to be chief' They nodded, and the crisis passed easily," (133)
Id- all the Biguns follow their Id and go support Jack. Jack gathers support from everyone, and they pursue their desires to solely hunt. Jack has great influence among the island, and it is growing strongly throughout the chapter. The boys left their chief, Ralph, to go after the desires of hunting with Jack.
Mythological Theory
"I'll tell you what's what. You littluns started all of this, with the fear talk. Beasts! Where from? Of course, we're frightened... "Anyway, you don't hunt or build or help- you're a lot of cry-babies and sissies," (82)
This fear of the beastie represents the terror and allure of the desires for violence, power, savagery lurking in the humans. The littluns are very frightened, but Jack encourages them to get over it. They need to accept this fear and move on. He focuses on the important things, such as hunting and building.
"If the beast isn't there we'll go up the mountain and look; and light the fire,'" "He let Jack lead the way; and Jack trod with theatrical caution though they could have seen an enemy twenty yards away," (103)
Everyone was scared of beastie, but Jack was the one to take lead and face the beast. He was leading the way and wasn't afraid. This shows his bravery and leadership. He was willing to make sacrifices for the fear of everyone.
"His sandy hair, considerably longer than it had been when they dropped in, was lighter now... and except for a pair of tattered shorts held up by his knife-belt he was naked," (48)
The author writes a detailed, messy description of Jack. This shows how on the island, they are progressively getting less attached to their civilized roots, leading to Jack becoming more of a savage as he spends more time on this stranded island.
Marxist Criticism
"Then Jack lept to his feet, slashed off a great hunk of meat, and flung it down to Simon's feet... He spun on his heel, center of a bewildered circle of boys. 'I got you meat!'... 'I painted my face- I stole up. Now you eat- all of you-" (74)
Jack now owns the production of meat and food, and people are starting to give him food. He is trying to show he has the power and has plenty to offer to the boys. This creates somewhat of a class distinction. The boys are starting to respect Jack more and look up to him for food.
"Jack's in charge of the choir. They can be- what do you want them to be?' 'Hunters.' Jack and Ralph smiled at each other with shy liking," (23)
Jack and Ralph, right from the start, claim to be the ones in charge. Jack and Ralph are the oldest and have natural leadership traits. They find that they can both control a group under these stressful situations, which makes Jack act the way he does.
Ralph and Jack are addressing the littluns and group. They are complaining that no one does enough work on the island, there is barely any help on the shelters, hunting, etc. Everyone gets lazy and too caught up in the fear of the beast. (81-82)
Jack and Ralph both seem to be the only ones who have a deep concern on how things are going on the island. Jack wants the best and expects everyone to also partake in the hunting and building. This shows his leadership qualities and responsibility.
Alternative Verdict
abusive: It may be claimed that Jack was abusive on the island. Although he did injure many kids, and focus on hunting, it was not his goal to hurt these people and animals. Jack's goal was to survive on the island, and in his eyes, this was by getting food, and defending himself against any possible threat. He did not set out to kill and harm without any reasoning.
lazy: It can be argued that Jack was a very lazy character. This being for the fact he would never help Ralph out with the shelters in the beginning, and only focused on hunting. While this may be true, it doesn't prove that Jack was guilty. He just had his priorities set elsewhere. While Ralph was working to get off the island, Jack was working to make a living on the island and survive. Jack was searching for food, and Ralph was making the shelter. It's simply different priorities and opinions.