@mikeru6 Here Since You Wanted Me To Expand On That

@mikeru6 here since you wanted me to expand on that

here's the breakdown!

jack relies on choir for much of his identity and ego. he uses his control of the choir, his giftedness with singing, and his status amongst those boys to keep himself afloat. choir is not only something he is likely to soon age out of, its an especially effeminate hobby. he is literally valuable in this manner for being a young boy and not having to conform to masculinity yet. jack surrounds himself with yes-men (see his symbiotic relationship with Roger), this is not only part of the way he symbolizes tyranny, but it initially causes his transformation.

when jack is away from his pillar, i.e singing/choir skills and hierarchy, he still relies on them but realizes they have no power. jack has to be powerful at whatever he's involved in; its why he takes up hunting.

this is where ralph is involved. there's a clear level of romantic tension- coexisting with a very clear sense of jealousy. jack is not only isolated with a boy who he is developing a sincere connection with, but this boy is also above him. it starts the complexities of their relationship. this level of inferiority alongside genuine attraction of some sort causes jack to react in his obsession with hunting. he grasps for something on the island that will give him power and social status, while also allowing him to explore desire.

the use of hunting as a tool for romantic, sexual, and character exploration is especially apparent in the sow scene. the language here, using words as "lustful", "wedded", and rogers final announcement "right up her ass" makes the tone very sexual. its also very apparent that the sow, a mother and the only feminine figure on the island, is specifically sought out.

this hunting obsession culminates as a crutch for jacks identity and self image. frequently upon failing to express himself through the killing of a pig, he demonstrates very interesting behavior. jack slams his knife into trees, unsheaths it, throws spears at the ground, generally violent and aggressive outbursts. these outbursts can be assumed as occurring as a result of the island.

the obsession with hunting and the reaction to being unable to hunt summarizes as a leaning toward masculine traits. at the end of the book, he becomes the chief, and his status/ego relies on violence, martial power, hunting, providing. these are the very things machismo is defined by.

furthermore, the fact that he so quickly turns to these masculine traits when his connection to the choir fails and he starts to experience romantic attraction alongside insecurity is obvious. part of jacks loss of innocence is how he forces himself to grow and mature; a harmless crush turns into a jealous coup, his choir boy identity turns into an aggressive, macho chief.

tldr, jacks failing choir identity and insecurity regarding a crush on ralph leads him to seek masculinity for social status.