The theme I chose is that there must be consequences and people to enforce them in order for people to respect the rules or laws in a society. The author develops this through the characters and setting throughout the story. Jack and Ralph are two completely different characters that help to develop the theme. Ralph wants to be rescued so he asks the others to help keep the fire going, build shelters, and keep their part of the beach clean. He is not arrogant like Jack, who is extremely opinionated and must have his way. Their leading styles are extremely different and the responses to their leadership is different as well. Everyone liked Ralph but wouldn't listen to him because they knew there wouldn't be consequences. However, Jack was feared but listened to because the boys were afraid of what he would do if they broke his rules.
The boys came from a civilized society where there were constant reminders to do as your told and plenty of adults to enforce the rules, therefore children behaved with good manners. Once they get to the island and are isolated from the usual rule enforcers, they begin to break apart and behave unacceptably. The places in which Jack and Ralph's two different tribes are located show how important it is for there to be consequences and people to enforce them so that everyone will follow the rules. Ralph's tribe has suitable shelters and the lagoon where everyone loves to swim as well as fruit trees. The boys soon learn to be comfortable and do as they please. However, Jack's tribe is constantly reminded of the consequences of going against the rules when they are surrounded by the dangerous and threatening ocean, the place where Simon and Piggy were killed, and Jack's fury. For this reason they always follow the rules.
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