Lord Of The Flies Political Allegory

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Pages: 2

As a political allegory, Jack and Ralph represent two conflicting types of government. Jack represents anarchy and dictatorship and Ralph represents democracy. Ralph is fair and tries to achieve unity in the group. Jack wants power and will stop at nothing to get it. It causes conflict among the other boys. The littluns represent the general public.
Democracy is present in the book from the beginning. In the first chapter the boys vote for a chief by a show of hands.
"I ought to be chief," said Jack with simple arrogance, "because I'm chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp."
“All right who wants Jack for chief?” With dreary obedience everyone in the choir raises their hand. “Who wants me?”
Every hand outside of the choir except Piggy's was raised immediately. Then Piggy, too, raised his hand grudgingly
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Both Jack and Hitler used violence, fear and intimidation to get power and keep power. Jack is seen as a warrior and a provider by the other boys because of his ability to kill the pig. It impressed them.
Jack usesd violence to steal Piggy's glasses. "trotting steadily, exulting in his achievement. He was a chief now in truth; and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy’s broken glasses" (186).
Jack also intimidates the other boys into cooperation, sometimes by use of force, in the case of Samneric. “ See? They do what I want.’ When they came upon Ralph, Sam and Eric admitted that Jack controlled them. ‘ they made us- They hurt us ‘ we couldn’t help it-’(209)
Hitler also used violence and terror to control. With the backing of the SS, Hitler carried out acts of violence, such as "The Night of the Long Knives" and "Kristallnacht" against his political opponents and other who would oppose him. Like Hitler's use of terror, Jack also used terror to control. Even though Samneric feel more allegiance to Ralph, they do not dare to go against Jack and his henchman