Reading Focus: Power

   3 Key moments regarding power throughout this story all have to do with who is chief.  The first major power moment was when Ralph was elected chief at the beginning of the story.  This was significant because Ralph held all of the power and made the decisions within the tribe to a certain point. After asking if Ralph should be chief, the narrator says, "Every hand outside of the choir was raised except Piggy's was raised immediately.  Then Piggy, too, raised his hand grudgingly into the air." (23).  Another big power focus was where Jack left the tribe along with a few other boys, Jack quotes,"I'm going off by myself.  He can catch his own pigs.  Anyone who wants to hunt when I do can come too."  (127) This is important because the power is now split between Ralph and Jack.  My third important moment of power was whenever Piggy was killed and the conch exploded, "The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist." (181).  This is important because without Piggy and the conch, Ralph has barely anyone left in his tribe and no conch.  This hands the last bit of power that he had over to Jack.

     There has been quite a struggle for power throughout this book.  After Ralph started with all of the power, it has gradually gone to Jack.  Now that there is no conch or Piggy left with Ralph, he has no power.