Lord of the Flies Key Theme: Power and Leadership (AQA GCSE English Literature)
Revision Note
Power and leadership mind map
The theme of power and leadership in Lord of the Flies:
Chapter | Quote | Summary |
---|---|---|
2 | “And another thing. We ought to have more rules. Where the conch is, that’s a meeting” – Ralph | Ralph establishes the conch as a symbol of democracy, demonstrating his values as the elected leader of the boys |
2 | “We'll have rules! ... Lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks 'em-” – Jack | Jack gives the impression of valuing rules and order, but seems especially excited about giving out punishments — foreshadowing his later autocratic leadership |
4 | “There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill; and there was the world of longing and baffled commonsense” – The narrator | Golding contrasts the opposing leadership styles of Jack and Ralph, suggesting that civilisation is less appealing than violence and bloodshed |
10 | “The chief was sitting there, naked to the waist, his face blocked out in white and red” – The narrator | Jack’s transformation into “the chief” is represented by his face paint, which hides his former identity and frees him from rules and order |
11 | “The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist” – The narrator | Roger destroys the conch, valued by Ralph and Piggy as a symbol of civilised democracy, marking the triumph of Jack’s violent leadership |
How are power and leadership presented in Lord of the Flies?
Symbolism: Golding contrasts the democracy represented by Ralph’s conch, with the tyrannical dictatorship represented by Jack’s face paint and spear
When Jack’s chief torturer, Roger, destroys the conch, the moment represents the death of any hope for civilisation among the boys
Conflict: Golding explores power and leadership through a central conflict between Ralph’s democratic approach and Jack’s autocratic leadership, echoing the violent conflicts of the early 20th century:
The novel begins in the apparent aftermath of a nuclear attack (the reason why the boys have been evacuated)
The plight of the boys on the island is the result of escalating violent conflict
Jack’s leadership leads to a fire that sweeps through the forest; the conflict with Ralph threatens to consume everyone in a microcosmic representation of real-world fears about nuclear powers
The impact of civilisation versus savagery on characters
Character | Impact |
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Ralph |
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Jack |
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Piggy |
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Why does Golding use the theme of power and leadership in Lord of the Flies?
Golding uses the central conflict between Ralph and Jack to represent the key theme of power and leadership.
1. Democracy vs autocracy
The island begins as a democracy in which all of the boys have a vote, and (through the conch) their voices are heard
Ralph establishes rules in which all boys work for the benefit of the entire community, such as building shelters and setting a signal fire
Jack’s autocratic leadership marks him as a violent dictator who seeks to torture and kill those who disobey him
2. The importance of rules:
Golding suggests that humans are innately selfish, and are naturally drawn to individual success over community spirit
The breakdown of the boys’ community on the island reflects Golding’s idea that civilised behaviour cannot exist without clear rules; without order and shared goals, humans descend into savagery
Exam-style questions on the theme of power and leadership in Lord of the Flies
Try planning a response to the following essay questions as part of your revision of the theme of power and leadership:
Explore how Golding presents power and leadership in Lord of the Flies.
How does Golding present Ralph as a strong leader in Lord of the Flies?
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