Lord of the Flies Group

Question:

linca
linca
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In Lord of the Flies, why does Jack refuse to give Piggy meat? And how is this tactic beneficial to Jack's campaign for leadership?

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Posted by linca on Thursday September 20, 2007 at 9:09 AM and tagged with characters, jack, leadership, lord of the flies, piggy.

Answers:


  1. renelane Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Piggy is upset that the fire went out, and he and Jack argue. Jack and Piggy fight, Jack punches him, which causes Piggy's glasses to fall and break. Because of this altercation, Jack considers not letting Piggy have any of the meat from their slain pig. In the end, he allows it. Jack gains prominence, because he was able to provide food for the group. It is a good tactic for Jack, being in the position of denying food is a powerful position.

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    Posted by renelane on Thursday September 20, 2007 at 9:23 AM


  2. luannw Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Jack refuses to give Piggy meat because this is Jack's way of asserting his power.  He is showing Piggy that he, Jack, has the power to determine whether or not the boys eat - this is one of the most basic, important powers among mankind.  This helps Jack's campaign because being a food provider is essential to the boys' existence.  As the leader of the hunter group, Jack is now raised to a higher level of leadership than what Ralph has as head of the group which is in charge of providing shelter and is failing miserably.

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    Posted by luannw on Thursday September 20, 2007 at 11:17 AM

  3. linca
    linca Student
    High School - 12th Grade

    thanks a lot for your answers!

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    Posted by linca on Thursday September 20, 2007 at 12:49 PM