Why does Jack's group attack the four boys in their hut in William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies" ?

Jack's group attacks the four boys in their hut because of the deepening conflict and division among the boys stranded on the island in William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies". The conflict arises from the struggle for power and control between Ralph's group, which represents order and civilization, and Jack's group, which represents savagery and the desire for dominance.

As the novel progresses, Jack becomes increasingly resentful of Ralph's authoritative position as a leader and begins to assert his own leadership over a group of boys who are drawn to his charisma and promise of hunting and meat. This us-versus-them mentality leads to animosity, fear, and eventually, aggression.

The attack on the four boys in their hut is a turning point where the underlying tensions turn into outright physical violence. It symbolizes the breakdown of social order and the descent into barbarism, where might makes right, and the rules of civilization are abandoned in favor of primal instincts and the use of force to achieve one's goals.

Extra: "Lord of the Flies" is an allegorical novel that uses the setting of a group of boys stranded on an island as a microcosm of society to explore themes such as human nature, social order, and the conflict between civilization and savagery. Golding suggests through this conflict that there is a dark side to human nature that, when left unchecked by societal rules and norms, can lead to chaos and destruction.

In the novel, the conch shell initially represents order and democracy, where everyone has a say, as long as they hold the conch. However, as Jack's influence grows, the symbol of the conch and what it represents becomes less effective. This power struggle is a critical examination of leadership, the ease with which a society can slip into anarchy, and the inherent challenges in balancing individual freedom with the collective good.

Golding's novel remains a prominent text in educational curricula because it raises important questions about moral reasoning, social responsibility, and the often thin veneer of civilization that separates orderly society from chaos. It encourages readers to consider what happens when that balance is upset and what it reveals about human nature.