Question

How is Jack symbolized as a dictator in Lord of the Flies?

Accepted Answer

Jack is symbolized as a dictator in Lord of the Flies by his desire to attain absolute authority and his ruthless, cruel leadership style. Similar to a dictator, Jack completely undermines the democratic process, assumes complete authority, sanctions violence, and uses fear and manipulation to control his subjects. Jack also develops a cult of personality and uses various propaganda techniques to mislead his followers into obediently supporting his irrational decisions.

Answer

Dictators possess absolute authority and resort to violence and manipulation to intimidate and control their subjects. Dictators are often characterized as selfish, hostile individuals, who are ruthless and bold. Jack embodies these characteristics throughout the story and is portrayed as a cruel, power-hungry adolescent. Similar to a dictator, Jack challenges the democratic process by suggesting that he should be chief simply because he is in charge of the choir and can sing in C-sharp. Jack desires to assume absolute authority and begins to view Ralph as his primary enemy because he is in a position of power. After Ralph places Jack in charge of the hunters, Jack begins to create a cult of personality and assumes the identity of a fierce protector, benevolent provider of meat, and an expert hunter. Similar to most dictators, Jack exaggerates his accomplishments and attempts to portray himself as a dominant, capable leader. 
Once Jack breaks from Ralph's group and establishes his own tribe of hunters at the opposite end of the island, he begins to rule as a brutal dictator. Jack uses fear and violence to intimidate and control his subjects. Similar to most dictators, some of Jack's decisions seem excessively cruel and irrational, like his decision to tie up Wilfred and beat him for no reason. Jack also uses his enemies as scapegoats and manipulates the boys' fear of the beast by telling them that it still roams the island. Jack also sanctions violence by torturing Samneric and instructing his savages to hunt Ralph. Similar to most dictators, Jack shows no remorse for his actions and is selfishly concerned with maintaining his position of authority.

Answer

A dictator is the head of a dictatorship, which is a form of government in which a single person has absolute power without any limitations. It can be an effective form of government; however, most dictators resort to violence, intimidation, terror, force, and/or lies to gain and maintain power. A dictator also tends to believe that their decisions are the best decisions and that everybody else should agree with their logic—no matter how warped it is.
In Lord of the Flies, early on, Jack states that he should be chief because he is the head choir boy and can sing a specific note. These are terrible qualifications for leadership, but this statement does establish him as a leader of sorts in the minds of the other boys.
Jack uses this advantage, along with his repeated displays of violence, to keep the other boys in a position of subservience through fear. They see the violence done to the pig, and they see the violence that is done to Simon. The boys are afraid of standing in Jack's way, and that is why they are so keen to please him even if it involves unjust violence; it's better to be on Jack's good side and do his evil than to be the recipient of his anger.
Chapter 9 has a great description that I feel shows Jack being portrayed as a dictator. He is sitting on a makeshift throne, which imparts him a position of power. The image also displays a character who is a violent dictator that runs the show through violence and fear:

A great log had been dragged into the center of the lawn and Jack, painted and garlanded, sat there like an idol . . .
Power lay in the brown swell of his forearms: authority sat on his shoulder and chattered in his ear like an ape.
"All sit down."
The boys ranged themselves in rows on the grass before him but Ralph and Piggy stayed a foot lower, standing on the soft sand. Jack ignored them for the moment, turned his mask down to the seated boys and pointed at them with his spear.

Answer

Jack displays several personality traits that connect his role as a leader, to that of a dictator throughout the novel Lord of the Flies. Historically, dictators are selfish individuals who rule via fear and violence. During the first assembly meeting, Jack suggests that he should be the leader of the group because he is the head boy and lead in the choir. Similar to the character of a dictator, Jack assumes that he is the most capable leader. Dictators are typically inconsiderate of others. Jack shares this character trait by constantly bullying Piggy, and suggesting that they use a littlun to simulate attacking a real pig. Throughout history, dictators have made outrageous claims in hopes to persuade the masses. Similarly, Jack makes the false claim that Ralph is a coward and attempts to usurp power. Dictators have a tendency to use fear to manipulate their followers to act in their best interests. For instance, Saddam Hussien used "fear of the Western world" to influence his troops to resist American forces. Jack uses the "fear of the beast" to coerce his followers in looking to him for protection and influence. Dictators also use fear and violence to maintain control over the population. Jack threatens Samneric to join his tribe, and they obey him because they fear the repercussions. Much like dictators, Jack likes to take chances and engages in risky behavior. Hitler risked starting World War II by invading Poland. Jack risks open conflict with Ralph and his followers when he steals Piggy's glasses. Jack eventually gains control over the majority of the boys on the island, but as we see from a later scene, his power will soon be challenged by another ruthless character, Roger. Likewise, many dictators lost their authority during coups within their party.

Lord of the Flies

How is Jack symbolized as a dictator in Lord of the Flies?

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