Leadership Conflict
The main division within the group arises due to the contrasting leadership styles of Ralph and Jack. Ralph represents a more democratic, civilized, and responsible approach, while Jack embodies a more authoritarian, impulsive, and violent tendency. Ralph focuses on maintaining order, following rules, and prioritizing the group's well-being, while Jack emphasizes hunting, power, and individual desires.
Differing Values and Priorities
The boys' differing values and priorities further contribute to the group's division. Ralph's supporters, like Piggy and Simon, value cooperation, reason, and following rules. They prioritize survival and building a functional community. On the other hand, Jack's followers, such as Roger, are drawn to his boldness, physical strength, and promise of adventure. They place more emphasis on immediate pleasures, hunting, and expressing their wild instincts.
Fear and Savagery
As the boys spend more time on the island and face various challenges, fear and savagery begin to take hold of some of them. The fear of the unknown, the perceived dangers of the island, and the absence of adult guidance gradually erode their civilized behavior. Jack's tribe, in particular, becomes increasingly savage and violent, engaging in acts of cruelty towards animals and even towards their fellow boys.
Split into Tribes
The division within the group reaches a climax when Jack's tribe steals Piggy's glasses, which are essential for making fire and signaling for rescue. This act symbolizes the complete breakdown of cooperation and the triumph of savagery over reason. Ralph's tribe is left weakened and demoralized, leading to the final split into two distinct tribes: Ralph's group, composed of the few boys who remain committed to civilized values, and Jack's tribe, which embraces a more primitive, violent way of life.
The split into two separate tribes in _Lord of the Flies_ highlights the inherent tension between civilization and savagery, order and chaos, and the contrasting human instincts for cooperation and violence. It serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of society and the ease with which human nature can regress into barbarism.