One subject of interest in Lord of the Flies is leadership. Two leaders emerge on the island. Ralph, one of these leaders, holds council meetings and lays out rules for speaking during the meetings and for getting needed tasks done. Jack, the other leader, becomes a hunter and gradually persuades other boys to join him and follow his instructions. These two boys have different ways of leading and different goals. In an extended response, compare and contrast Ralph’s way of leading and Jack’s way of leading. Then, consider how the novel ends. What might the author, William Golding, be suggesting about the most effective way to lead others? In other words, what does the novel have to say about the subject of leadership?

As you answer, use a five-paragraph structure. Introduce the work and your thesis in the first paragraph. Then deal with Ralph’s leadership in the second paragraph and with Jack’s leadership in the third paragraph. In your fourth paragraph, explain the theme about leadership you see in the novel. Finally, conclude your essay with a brief paragraph in which you make your thesis statement clear once again. Throughout your response, use details from the novel to support your ideas.