Jack Merridew

Jack Merridew is the main antagonist is William Golding's novel The Lord of the Flies. He is one of the leaders of the band of boys who get stranded on the island the other being Ralph. His right hand man is Roger who is even more dangerous than he is. Jack's main ambition on the island is to hunt.

Jack is shown at first to be very cocky, haughty and demanding, displaying an open hostility towards Ralph and scorn towards the other children.

As all the the children, save from Ralph, Piggy and the twins, gradually return to a wild state, Jack becomes one of the most violent, agressive and dangerous of them. His group becomes them increasingly violent towards Ralph's, intimidating most of the kids to side with him. The situation degenerate to a war, culminating in Piggy's murder and the whole island being set on fire to kill Ralph. Fortunately, the fire attracts the attention of a boat of the navy, rescuing the children right when they were about to finish Ralph off.

What becomes of Jack's s wild boys after they are brought back to England is not known. Whether they all survived is not even explained.

Appearence
"Inside the floating cloakhe was tall, thin, and bony; and his hair was red beneath the black cap. His face was crumpled and freckled, and ugly without silliness. Out of this face stared two light blue eyes, frustrated now, and turning, or ready to turn, to anger."

- Excerpt describing Jack's appearence from The Lord of the Flies 

Jack is depicted having red hair, and freckles with blue eyes. He is thin, tall, and bony.

Jack is described as having a short fuse, and gets angry easily.

Later on, Jack paints himself in shades of black, red, and green, which seems to unleash his savage nature.

Allegory
Jack's role in the novel is an allegory to human nature. Jack represents makind's unbridled savagery, and the desire for power. Golding's allegory to the character (about human nature) was based on what he saw when he went to war.