How does the thirst for power corrupt survival?
In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, Jack Merridew’s descent from choir leader to savage hunter-chief, driven by primal instinct, reveals the fragile veneer of civilization.
Through 19 Jack Merridew quotes, including “We’ve got to have rules and obey them” and “Bollocks to the rules!”, this analysis explores his ambition, fear-driven manipulation, and embrace of savagery, with chapter and page numbers for context.
Jack quickly pivots his initial assertions of leadership based on arbitrary school hierarchy, towards a more primal form of dominance rooted in hunting and control.
Ambition and the Thirst for Power
From the outset, Jack equates his previous status with a right to lead, revealing an inherent arrogance and desire for control that defines his character arc.
“I ought to be chief…because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp.”
(Character: Jack), Chapter 1, Page 22
This quote perfectly captures Jack’s initial sense of entitlement. His justification—singing ability and school status—is utterly irrelevant to survival, highlighting his immediate focus on hierarchy and ego over practical leadership qualities.
“We don’t want you… three’s enough.”
(Character: Jack to Piggy), Chapter 1, Page 24
Jack immediately establishes an exclusionary dynamic, rejecting Piggy based on perceived inadequacy. This early act of social division foreshadows his later tribalism and rejection of those who don’t fit his criteria for strength. See how Piggy represents the intellect that Jack scorns.
“We’ll hunt. I’m going to be chief.”
(Character: Jack), Chapter 8, Page 133
Here, Jack equates hunting prowess with the right to leadership, offering a clear alternative to Ralph’s focus on rules and rescue.
“Who’s going to join my tribe?”
(Character: Jack), Chapter 9
This question marks the formal split, appealing directly to the boys’ desire for meat, belonging, and Jack’s offer of excitement over Ralph’s less tangible goals.
“The Chief has spoken.”
(Characters: Savages referring to Jack), Chapter 8
The savages’ affirmation reinforces Jack’s self-proclaimed authority, highlighting the power of titles and pronouncements in establishing control within the newly formed tribe.
“He’s a proper chief, isn’t he?”
(Character: Roger about Jack), Chapter 10
Jack’s focus rapidly shifts from societal rules to the primal urge to hunt, symbolizing his descent into savagery and rejection of Ralph’s civilized priorities.
The Descent into Savagery: The Hunt and the Mask
The mask liberates Jack from societal constraints, allowing his obsession with the hunt to consume him, transforming him from schoolboy to savage leader.
“He snatched his knife out of the sheath and slammed it into a tree trunk. Next time there would be no mercy,”
(Character: The narrator about Jack), Chapter 1, Page 31
This displaced violence, after Jack fails to kill the piglet, reveals his frustration and foreshadows the ruthlessness he will later embrace. It’s a conscious turning away from civilized hesitation.
“I thought I might kill.”
(Character: Jack), Chapter 3, Page 51
Jack’s simple admission reveals the growing power of his primal urge, moving beyond the need for food towards the act of killing itself.
“The mask was a thing on it’s own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-conciousness.”
(Character: The narrator about Jack), Chapter 4, Page 64
Golding masterfully uses the mask as a symbol of lost identity. It allows Jack to disconnect from his former self (“Jack Merridew, chapter chorister”) and embrace anonymity, freeing his savage impulses.
“Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood.”
(Chant by: Jack and his hunters), Chapter 4, Page 69
The rhythmic, violent chant signifies the hunters’ complete immersion in the act of killing, transforming it into a ritual that binds them together in savagery.
“His mind was crowded with memories… knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it, taken away its life like a long satisfying drink.”
(Character: The narrator about Jack), Chapter 4, Page 70
This disturbing simile reveals the deep, almost sensual satisfaction Jack derives from the act of killing and asserting dominance over nature.
“Sharpen a stick at both ends.”
(Character: Jack), Chapter 8
This chilling instruction, given after killing the sow, prepares the offering for the “beast” but also foreshadows the ultimate hunt where Ralph becomes the prey, symbolizing the complete descent into deadly savagery.
Jack actively undermines Ralph’s leadership and the rules of civilization, using fear and manipulation to consolidate his power.
Rejection of Rules and Reason
Jack consistently challenges and ultimately rejects the symbols and practices of civilized order—the conch, assemblies, rules, and Piggy’s intellect—in favor of his own authoritarian, instinct-driven rule.
“His specs – use them as burning glasses! ”
(Character: Jack), Chapter 2, Page 40
Jack sees Piggy’s glasses as a tool, disregarding their owner and their symbolic connection to intellect and clarity. This pragmatic, yet dehumanizing, view sets the stage for later violence. The importance of fire is a recurring theme. Analyze the intricate symbolism of fire quotes here.
“And another thing. We can’t have everybody talking at once. We’ll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school.” . . . “Then I’ll give him the conch. . . . I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking.”
(Character: Jack initially upholding rules), Chapter 2, Page 33
This quote establishes Jack’s initial, albeit short-lived, acknowledgment of the need for procedural order, using the familiar structure of school.
“The thing is – fear can’t hurt you any more than a dream.”
(Character: Jack), Chapter 5, Page 82
Jack attempts to dismiss the boys’ fear with superficial logic, failing to grasp (or choosing to ignore) its deeper psychological roots, which he later exploits.
“Conch! Conch!” shouted Jack. “We don’t need the conch anymore. We know who ought to say things…”
(Character: Jack), Chapter 6, Page 101-102
Jack openly rejects the symbol of democratic order and free speech, advocating for an authoritarian structure where only designated individuals (presumably himself and his allies) hold the power to speak.
“He’s like Piggy. He says things like Piggy. He isn’t a proper chief.”
(Character: Jack about Ralph), Chapter 8, Page 126
Jack weaponizes Piggy’s association with intellect as an insult against Ralph, revealing his belief that leadership requires brute strength and charisma, not reason.
“We shall take fire from the others”
(Character: Jack), Chapter 10, Page 161
This statement signifies the complete breakdown of cooperation. Jack plans to forcefully take what represents rescue and civilization, demonstrating his tribe’s reliance on theft and dominance.
“See? See? That’s what you’ll get! I meant that! There isn’t a tribe for you any more! The conch is gone― I’m chief!”
(Character: Jack after Piggy’s death), Chapter 11, Page 181
In the immediate aftermath of Piggy’s murder and the conch’s destruction, Jack brutally asserts his total authority, declaring the end of Ralph’s tribe and cementing his rule through violence and fear.
Conclusion: The Triumph of the Savage
Jack Merridew’s journey in Lord of the Flies is a chilling portrayal of the allure of power and the rapid descent into savagery when societal norms dissolve.
His quotes chart his transformation from an arrogant schoolboy clinging to familiar hierarchies to a ruthless, masked tribal leader who rules through fear, manipulation, and the primal satisfaction of the hunt.
Jack represents the triumph of instinct over reason, the darkness that Golding suggests lies dormant within humanity.
Compare Jack’s path with the struggles of others on the island:
Explore All Lord of the Flies Character Analyses
A Note on Page Numbers & Edition:
These quotes map Jack’s descent, but page numbers will vary across editions. Where available, citations (e.g., Chapter 1, Page 22) reference the Penguin Books, December 16, 2003, Mass Market Paperback edition (ISBN-13: 978-0399501487). Always verify page numbers against your specific copy, especially for academic work, lest your citations become lost like Jack’s initial adherence to rules.
Jeremy Mortis, founder of Ageless Investing, applies a rigorous analytical approach (the AAM framework) to distill timeless wisdom and contextualized quotes from classic literature, saving you time while deepening understanding. Learn more about Jeremy’s unique background and methodology on his author bio page.