Saturday, August 31, 2013

What kind of abusive language does Jack use in Lord of the Flies? What does it tell about his true character?

From the beginning of the novel, Jack is rude. In chapter
one, upon first meeting Ralph and Piggy, he calls Piggy "fatty." He has no sensitivity
for Piggy's feelings:


readability="6">

'You're talking too much,' said
Jack Merridew. 'Shut up
Fatty.'



Clearly, Jack has no
manners. He gets a laugh from the other boys at Piggy's
expense.


In chapter one, as the boys are electing a chief,
Jack is arrogant:


readability="6">

'I ought to be chief,' said Jack with simple
arrogance.



From the very
beginning, Jack is obnoxious. Clearly, he feels superior to the others. The reader
automatically dislikes Jack based on his characterization. He is bossy and forward in
his actions and dialogue.


By chapter four, Jack is a mighty
hunter. He declares himself a great hunter. He screams out, "'Kill the pig. Cut her
throat. Spill her blood.'" This is his reaction to the pig he has just killed. He has no
mercy. He is cold hearted in his hunting frenzy. It seems to not affect him that he has
just killed a living creature.


As the story progresses,
Jack becomes more savage in his actions. He leads the boys in a hunting dance that ends
with the murder of Simon. Jack seems so hard hearted. He becomes more savage each time
he kills a living creature. In chapter nine, Jack has his boys screaming and chanting,
"'Kill the beast. Cut his throat. Spill his blood.'" Then Simon comes crawling out of
the woods and they begin to kill Simon with their bare hands and
teeth.


With no remorse, Jack continues to control his boys.
He is power hungry. In chapter eleven, Jack and Ralph argue about who the leader is.
When Piggy falls to his death because of Roger, Jack indicates that Ralph will get the
same treatment:


readability="10">

Jack screams that that’s what Ralph will get.
The conch is gone. He is chief now. He hurls his spear at Ralph, grazing his side. The
others, including Roger, hurl their spears as well. Ralph turns and
flees...



Jack becomes more
antagonistic as the story unfolds. By the end of the story, he is in total control over
the boys. Ralph is the only one who has not succumbed to Jack's tyranny, and he is
fleeing for his life.


Jack is a reprehensible character,
and his abusive language only worsens as the story unfolds.

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