Social, Intellectual, Physical Power In Lord Of The Flies

William Golding’s “Lord Of The Flies” explores the actions and experiences of several boys stranded on a deserted island. At first, the boys value logic and reason, voting Ralph as their “chief”. Many of the younger boys in the group are conflicted without the comforts of their parents and homes making it difficult for anybody to lead the group effectively. Piggy, a boy focused on being rescued using logic and reason, sides with Ralph and their joint efforts are motivated by having the group’s best interest at heart. A selfish, and power-hungry Jack soon takes drastic measures to take charge over the group. Many of the boys either by choice, or force join Jack’s rebellion blindsided by his sense of security and deceitful charm. Soon after Jack’s rise to power, his tribe begins to become savage, relying on instinct rather than logic and reason. Ralph’s remaining members Piggy, and Simon are killed at the ruthless and determined hand of Jack who seeks complete power. Ralph is saved by chance of the arrival of a naval officer who has come to rescue the boys. Golding through the course of the novel reinforces the idea that a leader must (A) have the groups best interest and (B) go against the people’s wishes if it is for the benefit of the group. Additionally, having the same values and goals of the people one is leading, does not mean they will go forth and follow through with goals they have set out to do.

Ralph’s witts and natural ability to lead make him very favorable among the group. Although there is a charm about Ralph, ultimately, it is his words and ability to make executive decisions which will satisfy all people making him best fit to lead the group. Before making any decisions, Ralph considers the feelings of others, allowing him to appeal to the vast majority of the boys. At one of the first meetings between all of the boys, Ralph suggests “We want to have fun. And we want to be rescued...We must make a fire.’ ‘A fire! Make a fire!’”(37-38). Ralph’s use of the word “fun” when suggesting making a fire allows him to persuade the boys to accomplish their unified goal of being rescued. With many of the boys ranging from ages 6-12, and the stress of being stranded great, having fun is one way to take their minds off of the situation they’re in. Ralph’s diplomatic approach to the group is at first successful, but soon he finds that communication and words will not get the boys to do what he believes is beneficial for the group. Days after the group agreed that they needed to build shelters, Ralph finds himself discouraged, “Two shelters were in position, but shaky. This one was a ruin…’they keep running off’”(50). Ralph discovers that his words are not enough to motivate the boys to build the shelters. Although Ralph is able to get the boys to agree to certain actions, he finds that they do not follow through. Without the collaboration of all group members, the group is destined to fail. While Ralph uses a more diplomatic approach in his leadership, Jack uses his high social status to intimidate and taunt others. A frequent victim of Jacks, Piggy, is often ridiculed for the way he talks, his weight, and his inability to see without his glasses. After nearly setting the whole island on fire, Piggy asks a simple request from the group, “‘We ought to be more careful. I’m scared-’...’You’re always scared. Yah-Fatty!’”(45) Jack often takes any opportunity he can to make fun of and tease Piggy. Jack’s application of social power proves ineffective as he deters boys from joining his tribe. Rather than bringing the group together for good, Jack seeks to divide the group. The stark contrast between Ralph and Jack’s demonstration of social power allow Golding to show how one is able to use social power for both the good of a group to bring them together and how it can further separate groups.

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Not only must a leader communicate goals and motivate their group members, they must use reason and logic to back these goals. A leader who use logic and reason can make smarter goals for the group. Piggy, although not well respected in the group uses logic and reason to influence Ralph and his proposals to the group Piggy is highly rational and and intelligents, he strives to establish a civilized society very similar to the one he is accustomed to back home. Piggy is one of the most mature boys on the island, he finds that many people do not appreciate his sense of maturity and his consideration of logic over other traits. During the first interaction on the island between Piggy and Ralph, Piggy is quick to ask “Aren’t there any grownups at all?”(8) Quick to establish a leader, Piggy is an advocate for stability and order. When the scare of the beastie travels throughout the group members, Piggy is the first to suggest moving the fire from the mountains to the beach closer to their camp, “Only Piggy could have the intellectual daring to suggest moving the fire from the mountain.”(129). Piggy’s use of logic in moving the fire to conserve both time and energy is just one example of Piggy’s intellectual leadership. Although Piggy uses logic and reason to make decisions, his low social status makes him an ineffective leader, instead of leading, Piggy suggests ideas to Ralph which helps him to be an effective leader. Unlike Social and Physical power, it is hard for intellectual power to be used for evil. This helps to portray Piggy as mature and intelligent throughout the course of the book as he uses his quick thinking to attempt to help the group become more civilized. Although intellectual power considers all aspects of a situation, without social power, intellectual power is ineffective. Golding reiterates the fact that social power can help influence a group and with intellectual power create a more civilized, and effective community.

Jack’s ride to power did not come about using social or intellectual power. Contrary to the use of words, logic, and reason, Jack utilizes his physical power to assert his dominance over the boys on the island. Jack uses physical power to force boys to join his tribe and to do whatever he asks of them. Jack's lack of social and intellectual abilities make him rely on his strength. Jack, does not seek for the group to be rescued, instead, he lusts after power. This lust for power often makes him use extreme measures to get what he wants. Jacks abuse of power can be described as, “authority sat on his shoulder and chattered in his ear like an ape.”(150) Whenever Jack receives any authority, he uses it as an opportunity to benefit himself over others. Jack does not have the best interest of those in his tribe and instead focuses on making himself look better. Jack’s lack of leadership skills often forces him to use physical power. Jack uses his strength to intimidate and scare off his opposition. Shortly after killing Piggy, Jack attempts to let Ralph know that he is next, “‘See? See? That’s what you’ll get! I meant that!’...Viciously with full intention, he hurled his spear at Ralph”(181). A bloodthirsty and savage Jack resorts to violence and death to gain complete power of the boys. Jack believes that if he kills Ralph and his followers, all of his problems will disappear. This is not true however, he continues to struggle for power and feels threatened when other boys question his authority. Golding emphasizes that violence is not an ample and civilized way to go about gaining support. Violence appears to cause more damage than it resolves problems. Golding implies that power should not come at the hand of death.

Overall, Lord Of The Flies exploits the faults in different types of leadership. Social power can bring a group together and motivate those to accomplish a common goal, however it relies on the mercies of those in the group to go out and follow through with their agreed upon actions. Intellectual power uses logic and reason to effectively make the most realistic decisions, but without a voice, it cannot have an effect. Lastly, physical power is not an effective tool as it almost always results in the death of others. Golding throughout the story suggest that in order to be an effective leader, one must have all three powers to create stability in a group. One must also sometimes go against what the people believe to be good if it is the right decision. Although there are many types of power, some may be more beneficial and healthy for a group than others.