Who is the bad kid in Lord of the Flies? “Lord of the Flies” is a classic novel written by William Golding in 1954. The book is a masterpiece of allegorical literature, exploring the complexities of human nature and society’s role in shaping individuals. The story revolves around a group of British boys stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. As the days pass, the boys’ struggle to survive becomes a battle for power and dominance. The characters in the novel represent different facets of human nature, including leadership, authority, and morality. Among them, there is a character who is often considered to be the “bad kid” of the group. This article answers who this character is and why they are the “bad kid” in “Lord of the Flies.”
Who is the bad kid in Lord of the Flies? (Complete Answer)
In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, a group of British boys is stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. As the days pass, their struggle for survival becomes a battle for power and control. The characters in the novel represent different aspects of human nature, from leadership and authority to morality and savagery. Among them is a character often referred to as the “bad kid” of the group. But who is this character, and why are they seen as the antagonist of the story?
The character in question is undoubtedly Jack Merridew. From the novel’s outset, Jack is presented as a natural leader, confident and charismatic, with a strong desire to assert his dominance over others. His obsession with hunting and killing animals becomes a reflection of his aggressive nature, which ultimately drives him toward savagery and violence.
At first, Jack’s desire for power is subtle, but as the novel progresses, he becomes increasingly overt in his attempts to take control of the group. He forms his own tribe, complete with war paint and chants, which directly opposes Ralph’s efforts to maintain a sense of order and civility on the island. Jack is ruthless in his pursuit of power, willing to use violence and intimidation to achieve his goals.
Jack’s descent into savagery is also reflected in his treatment of the other characters. He bullies Piggy, the group’s intellectual, and uses his physical strength to intimidate the weaker boys. He even goes so far as to kill Simon, one of the novel’s more innocent and peaceful characters, in a frenzy of violence and fear.
Jack’s character represents the darker side of human nature, the part of us willing to use violence and aggression to achieve our desires. His obsession with hunting and killing, his willingness to use violence to control others, and his ultimate descent into savagery all reflect the potential for evil within each of us.
In contrast, the character of Ralph represents the more civilized and moral aspects of human nature. He is a natural leader who uses his intelligence and empathy to bring the group together rather than tearing them apart. He tries maintaining a sense of order and civility on the island, even as Jack’s tribe becomes more violent and aggressive.
Was Jack evil in Lord of the Flies?
Yes, Jack was evil in Lord of the Flies. Even though he starts as an ordinary boy, his thirst for power and control leads him to form his own violent group and become a ruthless dictator. He becomes increasingly tyrannical as the story progresses, ordering cruel punishments for those who disobey him and even trying to organize the murder of Ralph. His actions are motivated by evil intentions, which make him an unlikeable character throughout the book.
Who killed Simon in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, Simon is killed by the group of boys who mistook him for the beast during Jack’s tribe feast. The boys were in a state of frenzied excitement and ignorance, and they brutally beat Simon to death.
Was Piggy’s death an accident?
Piggy’s death was not an accident. In the book Lord of the Flies, Roger intentionally pushes a large rock toward Piggy, causing him to fall off a cliff and die. The act was intentional and explicitly described in the novel– making it clear that Piggy’s death was not an accident.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jack Merridew is undoubtedly the “bad kid” in Lord of the Flies. His aggressive nature, desire for power, and descent into savagery represent the darker aspects of human nature. The character of Ralph, on the other hand, represents humanity’s more civilized and moral aspects. The conflict between these two characters ultimately reflects the struggle between good and evil within each of us.