Jack says to the schoolboys, "The beast is a hunter. Only-shut up! The next thing is that we couldn't kill it. And the next thing is that Ralph said my hunters are no good" (Golding 134). As this quotation allows people to realize, Jack Merridew cripples Ralph's reputation and obligates the boys to follow the only other leader on the island, himself. Yet another example of Jack ruining Ralph by sabotaging him comes when Merridew convinces the hunters that they do not need Ralph because he is useless to them. This occurs when Jack gathers his hunters for an important meeting. Then hunters listen to Jack's complaints about Ralph, "He's not a hunter. He"d never got us meat" (Golding 140). As the above reference illustrates, Jack "kills" Ralph's chances of continuing to be the leader by making him sound worthless. At the same time Jack makes himself appear valuable and a much more convincing leader. Therefore, The above statements conclude that Jack Merridew destroys Ralph's reputation and authority and consequently, he gains power on the island.
Throughout the course of the novel, Jack attains supremacy over Ralph by voluntarily taking on important responsibilities. A clear example of this is when the survivors first attempt to organize a responsibility for everyone. Jack willingly undertakes the task of keeping the fire going. Jack speaks to Ralph and indirectly to the gathered crowd of boys, "Ralph-I"ll split up the choir - my hunters, that is - into groups, and we"ll be responsible for keeping the fire going" (Golding 47). The above quote is proof that when Mr. Merridew accepts important tasks he then has more power in his possession. The next example of this happening is when Jack claims that he and his hunters will protect the boys from the beast by killing it. He announces this while most of the survivors are gathered to show that he is ver self-confident. Jack promptly states, "I"m going up the mountain to look for the best - now" (Golding 131).