Totalitarianism and Liberal Democracy — Two political allegorical power systems in Lord of The Flies
In the novel ‘Lord of the Flies’ William Golding demonstrates two contrasting political ideologies — Totalitarianism and Liberal Democracy throughout his story. I aim to describe how he symbolically illustrates these two ideologies. I will examine two power systems with concrete examples of how they appear in the story. Moreover, I will focus on Ralph and Jack to describe democracy and Totalitarianism, how they form, and their structures. Last but not least, I will try to tell Golding’s point of view about these power systems.
Golding presents a democratic power system through the character Ralph. Ralph is neither a child nor an adult who helps him gain the ‘littluns’ trust. He is an idealist, wide-eyed boy whose general goal is to help the boys. “But there was a mildness about his mouth and eyes that proclaimed no devil” (page -7). He can make the boys feel safe physically and intellectually. At the beginning of the story, the boys make him the leader by voting, a democratic process.
In a democratic organized system, a leader is elected by the majority of the people, which gives him the right to make decisions for the people’s good. The leader’s decisions are bound to follow some rules and orders. The people have some rights, such as freedom of speech and beliefs. In the story, the conch shell symbolizes this fact. Whoever holds the conch shell can talk and express his thoughts without interruption. As a representative of a democratic leader, Ralph tries to protect the boys in every possible way. He forms some rules and regulations and organizes groups of boys to collect meat and food, build shelters, create fire to be rescued. He tries to keep the majority in favor of him. He doesn’t like the decision of the choir to hunt but still accepts it to maintain his eligibility to the boys. He is not an adult and has some childish behavior like the other boys as he also wants to have some fun like others. It helps him to gain more trust from the children. However, in a democratic organized system, people need someone to rely on and feel safe. Ralph is this kind of leader. Although he has some flaws as a leader, the boys choose him as they trust him, and it is more critical in a democratic system. His age, size, attractive appearances help him to do so.
On the other hand, Jack is the representative of Totalitarianism. Totalitarianism is a system where the leader strictly follows an ideology deciding everything by himself. There is no specific law and order for him but many restrictions to the rights of the people. He can do anything to keep his throne. He can force people to follow his ideology. In this ideology, the main weapon to maintain power is fear.
Jack is a naturally dominant leader. He is already in charge of the choir at the beginning of the story, and he feels like it is normal for him to be in power. He gives opposite impressions compared to Ralph in the minutes he enters the story. From the very beginning, he tries to conquer the power of leadership, but as his appearances are not as attractive and cheerful as Ralph’s, he can’t democratically gain control. So he tries the other way, the totalitarian one. He is like a ruthless politician whose only goal is to pursue power. He always feels superior to the other boys. When he gets a chance, he tries to bully piggy. It helps him to keep the fear among the boys and control them. He is very selfish for power. He listens to no one regarding individuals’ rights and wishes. He takes the lead over Ralph whenever he gets the chance. He once said, “I ought to be chief. Because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp” (p-21). It shows his arrogance and stubbornness, which are the quality of a totalitarian dictator.
Towards the end of the story, we can see the natural character of Jack. He forms his tribes for which there is no need for voting. He calls himself the leader of his tribe and tells the boys to join him if they need meats and food. It shows his authority and control over the boys. In the end, he organizes the hunt to kill Ralph. He orders them to fire up the jungle so that Ralph is smoked out from his hiding. He closes the escape routes for Ralph. It shows his brutality for power. We can metaphorically take this. Jack is like a politician in a totalitarian power system who is bloodthirsty for his authority and power. He can do anything to maintain his throne by all means.
In conclusion, in his story, Golding illustrates both the power system, Totalitarianism, and democracy in a metaphorical way. He shows the good and bad sides of both systems. He tries to portray the strength and weaknesses of the systems. Every system has its flaws and limitations. So he doesn’t take any particular system as permanent and absolute as people inherit the desire for power and authority by born. However, one political system is less faulty and harmful for the majority. He indicates one system is more dangerous than the other, Totalitarianism. Moreover, the main goal of a political system is to benefit the majority rather than only the leader himself. We can always criticize any system and try to improve it.