When people are free from the constraints of society, their nature tends to resort them to savagery. In Lord of the Flies, William Golding shows this defect of human nature and the animalistic behavior in humans through the character Jack. Jack exemplifies this corruption in humanity by demonstrating his strong desire for power and bloodshed through his savagery and officious disposition. These motives are prevalent in almost all of the boy’s behaviors- especially Jack’s- revealing that their society has destroyed their innocence.
In the beginning of the novel, Jack is hesitant to violence and encourages rules, which helped maintain a civilized society. He is enthusiastic about order, and expresses his eagerness for rules when he says, “We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything." (Golding 42) As a choir boy, he believes sustaining civilization should be prioritized by emphasizing the importance of rules and discipline. At this point of time, Jack is also reluctant to violence, which is evident in his attempt to kill a pig. His resistance is described, “There came a pause, a hiatus, the pig continued to flash at the end of a bony arm…..Then the piglet tore loose from the creepers and scurried into the undergrowth. They knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood….Next time there would be no mercy.” (Golding 31) This reveals that Jack doesn’t have the mental capacity to slaughter a living being; however, this instance motivates him to kill in the future.
As their society progresses and tensions begin to rise, Jack becomes filled with violence and desire for control. He begins to neglect his duties to help make shelter or keep the fire burning, and prioritizes hunting over all things. Ralph confronts him in saying, “You could have had everyone when the shelters were finished. But you had to hunt…You didn't ought to have let that fire out. You said you'd keep the smoke going…' " (Golding 71). Their differences in priorities also increase the tension between Ralph and Jack, leading to Jack challenging Ralph’s leadership. After questioning several of Ralph’s rules, in an attempt of changing them for his own convenience, he becomes frustrated at his lack of control. He expresses his frustration in saying,
“‘Who thinks Ralph oughtn’t to be chief?’ He looked expectantly at the boys ranged around, who had frozen. Under the palms there was deadly silence. ‘Hands up?’ said Jack strongly, ‘whoever wants Ralph not to be chief?…..‘All right then.’ He laid the conch with great care in the grass at his feet. The humiliating tears were running from the corner of each eye. ‘I’m not going to play any longer. Not with you.’” (Golding 127)
Jack abandons the society and creates his own tribe, where he is chief.
As civilization collapses, Jack’s savagery intensifies and becomes evident in his animalistic nature and strong motives for power. After the separation, Jack becomes barely recognizable, as described by, “The chief was sitting there, naked to the waist, his face blocked out in white and red. The tribe lay in a semicircle before him. “(Golding 160) The body paint and lack of clothes represents his new façade as chief, and liberates him by concealing his true identity. Jack’s new-found freedom allows him to lose his humanity, demonstrating sadism in Golding’s writing, “Then Jack found the throat and the hot blood spouted over his hands. The sow collapsed under them …. He giggled and flicked them while the boys laughed at his reeking palms. Then Jack grabbed Maurice and rubbed the stuff over his cheeks . . . ‘Right up her ass!’” (Golding 135). At this point of time, Jack has fully descended into savagery.
Jack’s transition from choir boy to chief reveals his loss of identity when outside of society. This transformation exemplifies the true savagery and sadistic behavior that can lie dormant in all humans.