How are Ralph and Jack alike?

Answer 1

Initially you might be inclined to say that they did get along. However if you look more closely you can see that all the effort put into any attempt at a friendship came from Ralph. Jack's initial reaction on joining the meeting of boys was to try and install himself as leader. Ralph, who won the vote, offer an olive branch in the form of allowing Jack to lead the choir. Ralph invited Jack to join him in the exploration of the mountain. On their return Jack undermined Ralph's statement that there was no snake-thing by stating that if there were one he'd hunt and kill it. The superficially friendly nature of the two boys was entirely one sided. Ralph made an effort because he genuinely liked and admired Jack. Jack however did not reciprocate, he merely bided his time until he could get what he wanted, Ralph's position as leader.

Answer 2

Ralph and Jack are leadership-oriented and have strong personalities. They both exhibit qualities of ambition and assertiveness in their attempts to lead the group of boys on the island. However, they differ in their leadership styles and priorities, which ultimately lead to conflict between them.

Answer 3

In a word no. At the start of the book Ralph took a liking to Jack, admiring his casual authority and clear sense of direction. He recognised him as a boy who knew what he wanted and knew how to get it. Ralph made an effort to become friends with Jack, offering him control of the former choir and inviting him to join the expedition toclimb the mountain. Jack however knew what he wanted, and that was Ralph's position as chief. Jack resented the fact that Ralph had won the election and almost immediately began a campaign of undermining and challenging Ralph's authority at every opportunity. Although Piggy had warning him that Jack hated him Ralph didn't believe that this was true until the walk from castle Rock to the mountain in chapter 7: Shadows and Tall Trees. Irritated by Jack's continual barbed remarks Ralph asked Jack outright, "Why do you hate me?" From that point onwards Jack's animosity was openly displayed. He lied about Ralph, accusing him of cowardice, and called for a vote of no confidence in Ralph's leadership, which the rest of the boys ignored. By the end of the book Jack had made himself chief of all the boys, except for Ralph, but was still not content. In order to fully satisfy his craving for power and his obsessive jealously he was determined to hunt, kill and behead Ralph.

Answer 4

They have superficial similarities. Both are capable leaders who are able to command support and respect but employ completely different leadership styles. Both Ralph and Jack are boys of action who like to put decisions into effect immediately they are taken. They are both driven by overriding passions, Ralph wants more than anything to get rescued while jack wants power and to kill pigs. They are two of the oldest and tallest boys on the island. There the similarities end.