Comparing and Contrasting Jack and Ralph-Lord of the Flies
... Jack tames the boys to become uncivilized savages. They have no discipline what so ever. Ralph, however, keeps the boys under order through the meetings, which are arranged at his own will. At these meetings a sense of order is set forth because the boys have to wait until they hold the conch to speak. When Ralph says, "I'll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he's speaking." (Golding 36) when setting these rules it makes Ralph take more of a role of authority and further shows his strong leadership skills. He is rewarded with the boys respect and confidence in his abilities to lead them to success and a return home. HE understands what the group of boys’ need. They need shelter, something for warmth and protection at night, and a sense of being home. When he says to Jack, "They talk and scream. The littluns. Even some of the others." (Golding 56) he is referring to why the boys need shelters. Jack does not understand the need of democracy, safety and shelter, but the success of food. Ralph knows that the construction of shelters will make the young boys feel more secure. This again shows his people skills, which makes him a great leader. Ralph treats the boys as how he would like to be treated……….equal. Ralph continues to show strengths of a leader by sticking up for one of the weakest links, Piggy who is treated aas more of an outsider, or non-existent person on the island. Jack hits Piggy and breaks his glasses, Ralph then calls it "A dirty trick." (Golding 78) Ralph shows his compassion and care of others while at the same time demonstrates Jack's lack of respect towards others. Jack treats the boys, especially Piggy, people of less importance than himself. Jack gets meat from hunting, and instead of giving some to Piggy, he gives some to everyone else and when Piggy asks for some, Jack replies unthoughtfully, "You didn't hunt." (Golding 80) It was not just Piggy who did not hunt, it was Ralph and the majority of the litluns who did not budge for food. This shows Jack’s lack of understanding towards people, if he wanted to be a true leader, he would have been kind to ensure the following of his campaign. Ralph's ability to understand what is best for the group further proves his ability to provide strengths as a leader. He tells the boys to make a fire so that maybe someone will see it and come to rescue them. When the other boys did not seem too concerned about starting a fire, became very angry. "The fire is the most important thing on the island. How can we ever be rescued except by luck, if we don't keep the fire going?" (Golding 88) It was in the interest of the whole group to get rescued but it seems like Ralph is the only one putting forth the efforts to do so. When the boys join Jack's tribe, Jack only puts efforts on short term needs such...