While there is vast disagreement over what exactly defines leadership, most agree that it is a response to societal needs. Ultimately, leaders provide consistent assurance and protection from external as well as internal threats. In view of that, the concept purely results from the uncertainties and dangers built into the human condition. In exposing this condition, there is no setting better than the deserted island of William Golding's Lord of the Flies.
[...] After the beastie's discovery, Ralph can no longer protect the group with his deceptively worthless fire, and for that reason Jack gains full allegiance by promising safety, meat, and most tempting of all, fun. Certainly taken with the excitement of authority, Jack requires the other boys to perform the bizarrely formal rituals. This not only functions as a mischievously playful activity but the repetitive motions allow the others to feel protected. It is though repetition would achieve safety itself,” a method Ralph never utilized for emotional security. [...]
[...] It is then not possible to identify the condition of what an innocent and non-refined human really consists of because recognizing what is inborn and what is socially conditioned becomes surely impossible. Golding, for that reason, can not say that man's evil stems from his nature since no one acts independent of their social upbringing. If Golding nonetheless is correct, and if humans are inherently evil, then every society must be surrounded in evil. Still, this cannot be case because society in itself establishes principles, and without these conditions, ideals and values, the basics of right and wrong are lost. [...]
[...] However, after blindly murdering Simon, Jack becomes paranoid and begins feeding misinformation to his tribe, claiming the beastie still lives and possibly behaving out of some guilt and paranoia of losing support. A typical practice of dictatorships to control the collective thinking, Jack deceives his followers into remaining loyal, again providing security for his own position. With the triumph of Jack's authority, the portrayal of the darkness in man's heart, Golding supposedly reveals that evil is innate in man; that even the most appropriate circumstances, devoid of all the civilizing factors, will not be enough to overcome man's natural evil. [...]
[...] They break out into storm of laughter” and a moment the boys [become] a closed circuit with Piggy outside.” From then he realizes it will be impossible to command their respect and must rely on Ralph, since he is the substitute authority on the island. Returning to the instance of the shelters, Piggy's recommendation to build housing persuades Ralph to direct a meeting. Even though the assembly ultimately fails to reach its goal, Ralph's behavior establishes Piggy's role as the advisor in the power structure of the island. [...]
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