Jack

Originally the leader of the choirboys, Jack comes to represent savagery throughout the novel. In the beginning he is humiliated when losing the initial election for power to Ralph, and is forced to satisfy himself with exerting his dominance over the hunters. In the beginning of the story he is able to maintain his moral compass, as seen in his inability to kill the first pig he encounters on the hunt, but he sees this as a failure and becomes obsessed with killing pigs. This distracts him from maintaining the fire, and subsequently Jack is unbothered by the idea of rescue. He paints his face, thus adopting a new persona, and becomes gradually more savage. He increases his control over the group because hunting and partying is more fun than building shelters with Ralph, and eventually breaks away completely to live in savagery in the forest.

While all of the boys with Jack enjoy the hunting and are also considered savages, Jack rules as a dictator through fear. The further he strays from civilized life, the more power he is able to exert. Jack becomes so obsessed with hunting down Ralph that he tortures Samneric for information and sets the forest on fire. However, when the naval officer arrives at the island Jack becomes a civilized little boy again.