Lord of the Flies Group

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mpofulinda
mpofulinda
Student
High School - 10th Grade

By a close study of Jack's actions in "Lord of the Flies", how does he become obsessed with hunting & killing?

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Posted by mpofulinda on Monday August 25, 2008 at 2:39 AM and tagged with hunting, jack, killing, lord of the flies, quotes, themes.

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  1. missblimey Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Jack's obsession with hunting and killing first manifests in his desire to define himself when it becomes clear he will not be the leader, a role he is used to in the choir. Ralph tries to keep Jack on side by saying that "The choir belongs to you of course" (chapter 1, p19) and Jack decides they are to be hunters. Significantly he usually refers to them as 'his' hunters - his sense of ownership is vital.

    Soon the idea of the hunt becomes more important to Jack. At first it is about finding food but he quickly learns to enjoy the thrill of the hunt and the sense of power it bestows is described as seducing him - "From the pig-run came the quick, hard patter of hoofs, a castanet sound, seductive, maddening" (chapter 3, p49). Early on he tries to communicate this feeling to Ralph - "He tried to convey the compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up" (chapter 3, p51).

    The first pig's death is greeted with great excitement and it is here we first hear the chant "Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood" that will be repeated at Simon's death. By this point Jack is also starting to see the power benefits of identifying himself as a hunter - he is able to feed and sustain the boys and this places him in a superior position to Ralph. It is this that leads him further and further until the deaths of Simon and Piggy and that last hunt of Ralph - his need to exert his power and his understanding of how to.

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    Posted by missblimey on Monday August 25, 2008 at 3:27 AM