Question:  How does the power struggle in Lord of the Flies relate to Animal Farm? What do the sides of Ralph and Jack show?

            The novel, Lord of the Flies, relates to Animal Farm, through a power struggle between two of the main characters. In Lord of the Flies, a large number of boys are stranded on an island.  The boys vote Ralph as their chief, yet there is still a struggle for power between him and another boy Jack. Ralph is more civilized than the other boys, and tries to keep order among the group. His main focus is to get off the island, while Jack is only concerned about hunting. In Animal Farm, Snowball is concerned about the treatment of all the animals, and the wellbeing of the farm.  Napoleon on the other hand, craves power, and wants the recognition of leader. Ralph and Snowball relate, because they both are more concerned about the whole community and think logically. Jack and Napoleon relate because they both focus on themselves, and desire to be above everyone else. On the island, Ralph summons a meeting to discuss rules with the boys that are important for them to follow. Jack interrupts saying, ‘“Bullocks to the rules!  We’re strong-we hunt!  If there’s a beast, we’ll hunt it down!  We’ll close in and beat and beat and beat-!’’’(97). Jack disapproves of Ralph’s emphasis on rules. He is frustrated that these rules are preventing him from his main desire of hunting. He desires to override Ralph and become chief, so he can control the boys along with constant hunting. Jack’s primordial instincts have taken over, giving him the desire to kill and eat his prey. This is why he represents savagery. Ralph on the other hand is a strategic leader who knows what all of the boys need to do in order to survive and get off the island. He tries to preserve their civilized ways, representing civilization. To accomplish this, he makes several rules. These are all beneficial to the boys, such as only peeing on the rocks that are washed away by the ocean, and not using anywhere you please. Ralph puts the biggest emphasis on keeping the fire always going. Ralph’s rules are there to benefit the boys, yet the boys view them as controlling and restricting. Ralph is trying to help the whole group of boys, and aiming to have everyone contribute and work together. He knows that they are not going to be rescued by luck, and need a ship to see the smoke in order to be rescued. In Animal Farm, Snowball also thinks about all the animals and wants them all to have equal work. He helps set up the Seven Commandments for all the animals to follow. In Lord of the Flies, Jack seems to not even want to get off the island, as his desire to hunt is controlling his every move. Jack is putting himself first and not thinking about what will benefit the group in the long run, just like Napoleon puts himself first by moving into the human house, treating the other animals poorly, and forcing them to obey his every move.