Chapter 3: Ralph and Jack

Jack and Ralph are pretty similar in the sense that they both act somewhat as “leaders”, but they are also very different. Ralph is more hardworking and selfless. For example, when Ralph was complaining to Jack he said, “All day I’ve been working with Simon. No one else. They're off bathing, or eating, or playing” (Golding 50). Ralph has been working for days to make shelters, and hasn't gotten much help. He shows how selfless he is because even though no one else is committed to helping besides him and Simon, he continues to make the shelters because he knows in the end they will benefit everyone. He is very determined and that is also shown when he says to Jack, “You remember the meeting? How everyone was going to work hard until the shelters were finished?” (Golding 50). Everyone else has quit making the shelters besides Ralph and Simon. This shows how determined Ralph is because even though everyone else quit, he is still continuing to work. Jack on the other hand isn't as motivated and hardworking as Ralph. For example, when Jack came back from hunting he was complaining to Ralph and he said, “We want meat” (Golding 51). He is complaining about not having any meat, yet he is the hunter and he gave up hunting. Jack could have just kept trying until he caught something, but instead he gave up and complained. If it were Ralph he probably would have continued working until he was finished, because he knows how much the entire group depends on it. Ralph seems to be more mature and seems to have more of the qualities of a leader.