Lord of the Flies

There are two leaders among the characters in Lord of the Flies: Ralph and Jack. Their roles in the book and their relationship to each other change over time. The two leaders have different values and represent different aspects of human behavior. By placing these two boys in conflict, Golding guides the reader to think about what makes a good leader and about the nature of human beings.

How are Ralph and Jack alike and different? How is each of them both an effective leader and an ineffective leader? What does each boy stand for? How do they change during the course of the book, and how do the changes in these two characters illustrate Golding's themes?

Offer your interpretation and share your thoughts with other students. Use specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.