4.1.5
Democracy & Dictatorship
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Democracy and Dictatorship
On the island, there is a constant power struggle between democracy and dictatorship. Golding shows how fragile democracy is – it can be easily destroyed.
Undermining democracy
- Golding shows how fragile democracy is – it can be easily destroyed.
- Jack is convinced that he should be the chief – when Ralph is elected leader, he begins to undermine him and starts doing what he wants to anyway.
Dictatorship
- Jack then uses violence to get his own way before he decides to form his own tribe, where he is the unelected leader (he begins a dictatorship).
- Jack makes all of the decisions and gives imperative orders, showing his power over the other boys: “"Tomorrow," went on the chief, "we shall hunt again.”
Fear and violence
- When the beast begins to worry the other boys more, Jack uses their fear to make them join his tribe.
- Jack’s tribe, borne out of fear and violence, is ruled by terror and evil.
Power
- Golding shows how easily people can become victims of dictators, and how dangerous dictatorships are, even to those who support them.
- He also shows how easily people can grab power.
- The boys on the island had no leaders when they landed, but they gave power to Ralph and Jack.
1Context
2Story Analysis
2.2Chapter 2
2.3Chapter 3
2.4Chapter 4
2.6Chapter 6
2.7Chapter 7
2.9Chapter 9
2.10Chapter 10
2.11Chapter 11
2.12Chapter 12
3Key Characters
4Key Concepts
5Writing Techniques
6Recap: Main Quotes
6.1Characters Quotes
6.2Text Structure - Quotes
6.2.1The Sound of the Shell - Quotations6.2.2Fire on the Mountain - Quotations6.2.3Huts on the Beach - Quotations6.2.4Painted Faces & Long Hair - Quotations6.2.5Beast from the Water - Quotations6.2.6Beast From the Air - Quotations6.2.7Shadows & Tall Trees - Quotations6.2.8Gift for the Darkness - Quotations6.2.9Gift for the Darkness - Quotations 26.2.10A View to a Death - Quotations6.2.11The Shell & the Glasses - Quotations6.2.12Castle Rock - Quotations6.2.13Cry of the Hunters - Quotations
Jump to other topics
1Context
2Story Analysis
2.2Chapter 2
2.3Chapter 3
2.4Chapter 4
2.6Chapter 6
2.7Chapter 7
2.9Chapter 9
2.10Chapter 10
2.11Chapter 11
2.12Chapter 12
3Key Characters
4Key Concepts
5Writing Techniques
6Recap: Main Quotes
6.1Characters Quotes
6.2Text Structure - Quotes
6.2.1The Sound of the Shell - Quotations6.2.2Fire on the Mountain - Quotations6.2.3Huts on the Beach - Quotations6.2.4Painted Faces & Long Hair - Quotations6.2.5Beast from the Water - Quotations6.2.6Beast From the Air - Quotations6.2.7Shadows & Tall Trees - Quotations6.2.8Gift for the Darkness - Quotations6.2.9Gift for the Darkness - Quotations 26.2.10A View to a Death - Quotations6.2.11The Shell & the Glasses - Quotations6.2.12Castle Rock - Quotations6.2.13Cry of the Hunters - Quotations
Practice questions on Democracy & Dictatorship
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