9. (observation on the differences between Jack and Ralph in chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies)

From the beginning of the book, it was clear that Ralph and Jack are by no means the same person, but it is in chapter three that significant differences appear in their character.  There is actually a confrontation towards the end of the chapter between Ralph and Jack, which stems from their personality differences.  Jack, ever since his initial confrontation with a pig on the mountain, has up to this point become more and more obsessed with killing a pig.  While Ralph worked on matters which required more immediate action, namely the building of huts on the beach, Jack was out hunting.  When Jack finally returned from his hunt, once again empty handed, Ralph asked him if he was ever going to catch anything.  In my mind, this specifically is what set Jack off.  Jack had always tried to assert himself as a leader and the epitome of toughness, and to have his ability to accomplish anything, much less a many task questioned, was an insult.  In this chapter, Jack's obsession with killing really comes to the surface, and Ralph's exasperation with Jack's lack of contribution to their society is verbally conveyed, and this really differentiates the characters from one another.