Two separate illustrations of an animal head and a fire on a mountain

Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

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What quotes from Lord of the Flies show Ralph or Jack listening to others' ideas?

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In Lord of the Flies, Ralph and Jack initially listen to others' ideas, reflecting a democratic society. Ralph suggests maintaining a signal fire and more rules, which Jack agrees with, saying, "We've got to have rules and obey them." However, Jack later dismisses others' input, while Ralph continues to consider others' ideas, such as when he listens to Piggy and Samneric in chapter 11. Their approaches to communication diverge, with Ralph focusing on rescue and Jack addressing fears.

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At the beginning of the story, both Ralph and Jack are open to others' ideas, and the society they establish resembles a democracy. After the boys have explored the island and call an assembly to report their findings, Ralph suggests that they maintain a constant signal fire, and also advocates for "more rules." Jack takes the conch, according to the rules of order in meetings, and says,

"I agree with Ralph. We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything. So we've got to do the right things." 

Unfortunately, it's not long before Jack begins trying to stifle the speech of others. In chapter 6, after Samneric report about the "beast" they have seen, Jack interrupts Piggy, who is holding the conch:

"Conch! Conch!" shouted Jack, "we don't need the conch anymore. We know who ought...

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to say things. What good didSimon do speaking, or Bill, or Walter? It's time some people knew they've got to keep quiet and leave the deciding things to the rest of us."

Ralph, on the other hand, mostly remains open to the ideas of others throughout the entire book. In the first chapter, when Ralph meets Piggy, Ralph finds the conch, and Piggy suggests, "We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They'll come with they hear us." Ralph asks, "How did your friend blow the conch?" He follows Piggy's suggestions about blowing the conch and holding a meeting.

Like all the other boys, however, Ralph is unable to understand Simon when he suggests about the beast, "Maybe it's only us." Afterward, Ralph reprimands Simon, saying, "You shut up, young Simon! Why couldn't you say there wasn't a beast?"

In chapter 11, Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric strategize about how to approach Jack and regain Piggy's glasses. Piggy declares his intention to go to Jack with the conch in his hands and tell him he must give him his glasses back because "what's right's right." Ralph replies, "All right. I mean—you can try if you like. We'll go with you." When Samneric remind Ralph that Jack will be painted and might get "waxy," Ralph "dimly ... remembered something that Simon had said to him once, by the rocks." Here Ralph is listening to what Piggy and Samneric say as well as remembering what Simon, now dead, had said.

While both boys are open to others' ideas in the beginning, Jack becomes more dismissive of others as the story progresses, while Ralph, despite not having understood Simon sometimes, tries to take the ideas of others into account throughout the story.

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What quotes in Lord of the Flies show Ralph or Jack as effective communicators?

Both Ralph and Jack have times when they communicate effectively, producing the desired response in the other boys.

Ralph's communication skills are best at the beginning of the novel, when he has more confidence in himself and before his relationship with Jack starts to deteriorate. At the meeting after the boys have explored the island on the first day, Ralph "flashed a conspiratorial grin" at Simon and Jack, and states simply, "We want to have fun. And we want to be rescued." This sparks enthusiastic agreement from the other boys. He repeats that they want to be rescued and will be. After that:

"Voices babbled. The simple statement, unbacked by any proof but the weight of Ralph's new authority, brought light and happiness. He had to wave the conch before he could make them hear him."

He goes on to assert that, because his father is in the navy, a ship will come and rescue them eventually. The result of his words: "They liked and now respected him." All the boys applaud him. This is possibly the high point of Ralph's ability to connect with the boys through what he says.

In chapter 6 when Jack tries to use the boys' fear of the "beast from air" to wrest power away from Ralph, Ralph again uses the concept of rescue to draw the boys back. He says, "Don't you all want to be rescued?" He wins the power struggle because of his words: "Yes, they wanted to be rescued, there was no doubt about that; and with a violent swing to Ralph's side, the crisis passed."

Jack's most effective communication is when he speaks to the boys' fears. After he leaves Ralph's group, some of the boys join him. He tells them, "I say this. We aren't going to bother about the beast. ... We're going to forget the beast." He tells the boys they won't have as many nightmares at the place he plans to camp. This strikes a chord with the boys: "They agreed passionately out of the depths of their tormented private lives."

Ralph is most effective as a communicator when he plays to the boys' hope of rescue, and Jack is most effective when he offers a solution to their fears.

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What quotes show Ralph or Jack's positive outlook in Lord of the Flies?

In Chapter 1, Ralph, Simon, and Jack go on an expedition around the island and climb the mountain together. When they reach the top, they can see the beautiful ocean and the uninhabited forest. Ralph comments, "This belongs to us" (Golding 29). Ralph's statement displays his positive attitude about being on the deserted island. Mentioning that it "belongs" to them implies that they are free to govern and engage in whatever activities they like without restrictions.

In Chapter 2, the boys hold an assembly and Ralph mentions that they should build a signal fire on the top of the mountain. He says, "And sooner or later a ship will put in here. It might even be Daddy's ship. So you see, sooner or later, we shall be rescued" (Golding 37). Ralph demonstrates a positive outlook by saying that the boys will be rescued sometime in the future.

Later on in Chapter 2, when the boys are collecting driftwood for the fire, Ralph and Jack find themselves holding opposite sides of a massive limb. Ralph says that it's almost too heavy, and Jack smiles and says, "Not for the two of us" (Golding 39). Jack displays his positive outlook by suggesting that with teamwork, the boys will be able to overcome difficult tasks.

In Chapter 6, Samneric come down from the mountaintop and claim that they've seen the beast. Panic spreads amongst the group of boys and Jack says, "This'll be a real hunt! Who'll come?" (Golding 100). Jack's outlook can be described as positive because he firmly believes that they have the ability to hunt and kill the beast. Jack is excited to begin the hunt and immediately asks the others if they are willing to join him on the expedition.

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In Lord of the Flies, how do Ralph and Jack understand others' feelings or concerns?

Lord of the Flies may appear to have all the elements of a typical story about boys stranded on an island, and may even begin that way, that is, with an air of predictability. The boys struggle to create shelter and have a few disagreements along the way, but it seems that Ralph has it under control, and is the best choice of leader, with a lesser leadership role for Jack. Ralph and Jack even have a respect for each other, as they "smiled at each other with shy liking," in chapter one. 

They initially want the same thing; both try to appease the scared boys by suggesting that they can have fun and do whatever they want because there are no "grown-ups." Ralph talks about his own father coming to save them, and "the assembly was lifted towards safety by his words." However, it does not take long before they begin to clash over what may or may not be important, and how to best manage their time on the island. When the two boys talk in chapter three about the shelter, hunting, and the other boys' nightmares, they are both very aware that something has to be done. Jack says," I know how they feel. See? That's all." He is referring to the sense that there is something sinister lurking on the island. 

Jack is aware that the boys are excited by the prospect of hunting, but hunting comes at the expense of the fire and any potential rescue. In chapter four, Jack is excited by the results of his exploits and hunting skills, but he does apologize about the fire which earns him respect. As stated in the novel, "the buzz from the hunters was one of admiration... Jack had done the decent thing." Jack has been very clever and understands that his feigned apology will help his cause and make Ralph look bad.

In chapter five, Ralph needs to help the boys focus on what is important. Having called a meeting at the end of chapter four, Ralph addresses the boys. He understands Piggy's contribution, as Piggy "ha[s] brains." He understands that he needs to repeat everything at least twice, and that he needs to keep things simple for the "littluns." Ralph understands that the boys are vulnerable to Jack's idea of fun, so he sets out the rules and repeats himself. He also talks about their fears because he knows that they need to be addressed. He says, "We've got to talk about this fear." 

Jack also tries to support Ralph in discussing the boys' fear. However, his methods are different from Ralph's, and although Jack does understand the boys' concerns, he sometimes makes matters worse, not better. He calls the boys "sissies" but tells them categorically that "there is no animal" that is after them. He goes on to say that "there is no beast in the forest." His words have the desired effect, and the boys "applauded him with relief." 

The meeting does not go well but Ralph shows that he does have an understanding that Jack and the hunters have different priorities. He says, "We're all drifting and things are going rotten." 

While both Ralph and Jack know that the beast is now dominating the boys' thoughts, Ralph remains conscious of his responsibility to the "littluns." He also knows that the boys want to be rescued, and uses that to persuade them that they should be listening to him. He and Jack decide to go to the only part of the island that Jack has not explored because they know how important it is. Ralph takes the lead because he is chief, but Jack does support him. As usual, however, Jack is distracted, and by the end of chapter six, Jack is becoming more influential over the boys. 

In the end, it will not be enough to understand what the other boys may want, or think they want, as Piggy and Simon will die, and "Ralph we[eps] for the end of innocence." 

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