Jack Merridew (Ch. 1)

~ Select one characther from chapter one and write about him in detail. Use two citations in your discription. Write at least eight sentences...

   In the first chapter of the book, Jack Merridew, the head of the Choir Boys, stands out as someone who wants attention and to be a leader. Jack thinks that he will automatically be the head of the children when they all gather for the first time; "I ought to be chief!" (Golding 20). His arrogance puts himself in front of others in all situations. This may be a symbol of how the children on the island will begin to fall from their simple innocent into a deeper evil that they are not accustomed to. Jack also seems to be the most mature in his selfish ideas, however not in his mindset of helping everyone. "Kids' names, why should I be Jack? I'm Merridew" (Golding 19). He is trying to think like an adult, but he cannot. Jack desperately wants to be treated like an adult because he feels he is the most important. It is these types of people who tear society apart. Selfishness, arrogance, pride, all these personality traits can bring down the strongest of systems. The first chapter is using Jack to foreshadow how the kids may begin to fall prey to these traits.