Who has the power?

Who’s really in power, the leader, or their followers? Kings or people in power are powerful, but there are plenty of moments in history where they have been overthrown by their subjects. Throughout  history the people serving their monarchy would lead rebellions, and revolutions trying to overthrow the monarchy, or leaders in rule. The monarchy tells the people what to do or maybe moves them out of position to overthrow. The King is stereotyped to be the one in power but little do they know the servants are working the behind the scenes and know their every move. This shows that leaders may not have all the power they think they have. Followers will overthrow or switch sides when conditions start to be unbearable or disagree with an order.

We see an example of this during King Edward II’s ruling. King Edward II was a King of England he ruled from 1307-1327. In an article explaining the reason for why King Edward was overthrown, it gives a break down of the cause and effect of his actions with his close friend who contributed to it. According to the article, Edward was an unpopular king and a ineffective ruler. He was overthrown  and betrayed in a conspiracy led by the queen herself, his empire fell down in a terrible fashion. Edwards unpopular status led to his own kingdom started to switch sides Edward’s wife also found out he had a male lover. The way in which she overthrew him was by bringing his close friend to live in his household. This close friend later turning out to be Edward’s lover, and the queen’s jealousy led her to lead the kingdom against him. Because the kingdom didn’t like the nature of the king's relationship with his “Friend”. It made it easy to overthrow him. One of the main reasons why the queen led the overthrowing was because of her uncomfortability. Edward's wife's living conditions would of been bad with Edward's new lover. In those times, women were given little to no power oftentimes and seen as less than men. This made it harder for women to have certain positions and titles in that society. To be a woman, involving with overthrowing was not only unthinkable but unsuspected. There would be more consequence for a women seen doing this, or involved in this, more so than a man. This is what makes this situation of overthrowing so unique in the case of King Edward, not only was it his queen who overthrew him, but also a women who although had power was not considered to have that much authority or much voice, especially to overthrow him.

In “Lord of  Flies” by William Golding, a group of boy were on a field trip and tragedy struck when they got into a plane crash. Realizing they were stuck on the island with no adults they decided to choose a leader amongst themselves. Ralph the main leader of the boys was voted by the boys,and thought to be the best option. Co-leader Jack, leader of the choir boys  was also chosen and made responsible to hunt. Ralph always calls an assembly to discuss decisions. The boys use a conch to help them to make important decisions. This conch gives the person that's holding it the power to speak out. Ralph blows the conch to call an assembly to have a checklist of things they need to do in order to survive on this savage island. As weeks go by, there began to be more tension between Ralph and the boys as Ralph began to display actions that were not of agreement to them. He became less and less admired by them, and the more this happened the more unfit he became as a leader to them. This caused for much conflict between them which made the desire to overthrow him stronger and stronger.

During an assembly, Ralph calls out some of  the hunters who are laughing at him as he speaks, about fire. Fire is the most important thing need in order  to get noticed on the island., so that they can be rescued. Ralph feels that this matter is not being taken seriously and is immediately drawn to anger. The hunters stop laughing and start shouting at Ralph even though Ralph is in power with the conch. ”There was a row immediately. Boys stood up and shouted and Ralph shouted back” (81)The boys were already separated when Ralph gave Jack power over the choir boys, but Ralph was always the leader of everyone, but Jack shows a little resentment to Ralph, showing that he and the hunters have already discussed Ralph’s leadership. This resentment influences the tension that Ralph feels toward them and already gives them a sort of upper hand because they have more power not just among themselves but because Jack as co-leader gives them an advantage. The boys are slowly turning on Ralph, not  the chosen one, not heeding to the fact that he was already made to be leader. They also do not care or worry that they do not have as much power. Although the boys are not considered on such a high level of power, they still hold power amongst themselves, that makes the overthrowing of Ralph as leader more possible.

My second reason for why overthrowing of Ralph became more desired by the boys, was because of the way Jack appealed to them more and portrayed his leadership. Jack was always willing to help the boys out and keep their best interest in mind, while Ralph did not he did stuff to survive.This quickly made him a better candidate for them and a better in their eyes, than Ralph.

Despite Jack’s and Ralph's disagreements in the past, Jack kills a pig and invites Ralph, Piggy and most of Ralph’s followers to a big feast. Ralph accepts to try to calm the tension between him and Jack and gain control so they can survive the island together. Jack is painted as a king on a throne he has people giving commands to all the hunters. Post meal Jack offers an invitation to all Ralph’s followers to join his “Kingdom.” Which totally backfired on Ralph because his purpose was the  completely opposite. Most of them accept, despite Ralph’s attempts to not lose his followers.” Whos going to join my tribe? I gave you food and my hunters will protect you from the beast who will join my tribe?”(150)

“Im chief,” said Ralph,”because you chose me. And we were going to keep the fire going. Now you run after food-”

“You ran yourself!” shouted Jack

“Who’ll join my tribe?”

“I will”

“Me”

“I will”(151)

Jack took advantage of the littluns age and fed them and made it seem there tribe was better than Ralph’s tribe and had more resources than Ralph. Ralph tried to blow the conch but he's in Jack’s kingdom. Jack is the co-leader so he has a higher power and supposed to take orders from Ralph the main leader. Jack took over with his power and became bigger than Ralph to the point Ralph’s loyalist became Jacks new servants.

Another monarchy that was betrayed was Charles the first. Charles ruled 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles was married to a fifteen year old french princess many members of the Commons were opposed to the king's marriage to a Roman Catholic. According to my source many of his subjects opposed his policies. I think this King is similar to “Lord of the flies” the leaders make decisions that the servants don’t like and they can turn on you in a instant.

Conclusion:When times start to get tough you see who is really loyal to you and whos going to stick with you. We saw how King Edwards the second trying to live up to his father's expectations and failed. Charles the first was another high monarchy that crashed and fell when he married a fifteen year old french princess many members of the Commons were opposed to the king's marriage to a Roman Catholic which played a big part in his downfall. Ralph actions lead followers to leave like King Edwards building a shelter instead of rationing some food for days led to some littluns going to Jack’s tribe. When you fail people will switch sides they turned on King Edwards the second like Ralph. So Who has the most power now the leader or the servants?

Cited sources