The Lord of the Flies: Week of 10/13

Character Development
Pages: 100-202

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding in my opinion has proven to be a rather tedious yet astounding read. Golding has managed to create a series of unforeseen events at every page turn. The evolution of each character gradually alters, some for the better and others for the worst. Without being placed in the situation, we see the dramatic changes and revealing truths of what would more than likely happen when a group of six to thirteen year olds are left to their own devices alone on an island.

The characters throughout the story face unconventional situations, which the average human of the modern age would not face. Children younger than myself find themselves struggling to survive on a daily basis and struggling to stay human. When placed in a life and death situation, there are always two options, survive or die. For some of the characters surviving means losing themselves. Losing their sense of humanity. Losing their morals and their minds. The boys constantly face the hardships of nature, battles among one another, and the most difficult struggle of them all. The inner conflict they individually face, keeping their wits or turning into a beast to survive.

A character, who in my opinion, has changed the most drastically would be Jack Merridew. In the beginning we are introduced to Jack as "tall, thin, and bony; and his hair was red beneath the black cap. His face was crumpled and freckled, and ugly without silliness." The story also states Jack to be, "ready to turn, to anger." From the beginning we are given the idea that he is the person who must have things go his way. He among the others, has a presence, one that contains a hunger for power and a person who uses fear to lead. Not much further into the story we see him state, "I ought to be chief," said Jack with simple arrogance, "because I'm chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp." We are allowed to see through the beginning of the story that Merridew believes himself to be of an important stature. Merridew feels that he is the quintessential leader for the young boys. As the story progresses we begin to see his ego increase significantly. Jack develops from a arrogant child to a savage. When killing animals to survive it is obvious that Jack has found a rather morbid joy or satisfaction in the activity.