At the beginning of the novel, Ralph and Jack have similar ideas regarding hunting and whether or not a "beastie" inhabits the island. In Chapter 3, Ralph holds an assembly to discuss the boys' main priorities on the island. Ralph says that the island is uninhabited and Jack comments, "All the same you need an army---for hunting. Hunting pigs---" (Golding 32). Ralph shares Jack's idea and says, "we need hunters to get us meat" (Golding 33).
Later on in the assembly, a littlun with a mulberry-colored birthmark asks what the boys are going to do about the "beastie." Ralph comments that the littlun must have been having a nightmare and continually says, "But there isn't a beastie!" whenever the conversation continues (Golding 36). Jack agrees with Ralph and says, "Ralph's right of course. There isn't a snake-thing. But if there was a snake we'd hunt it and kill it" (Golding 36).
As the novel progresses, the obvious differences in Ralph and Jack's opinions and ideologies are magnified. In Chapter 5, an assembly meeting quickly turns sour as Jack attempts to interrupt Piggy while he is holding the conch. Ralph yells, "You're breaking the rules!" (Golding 91). Jack responds by saying, "Bollocks to the rules!" (Golding 91). Clearly Jack does not respect Ralph's authority, much less the rules regarding the conch.
Another moment that depicts Ralph disagreeing with Jack takes place in Chapter 9 when Ralph and Piggy travel to Jack's end of the island for a feast. Jack begins to ask the boys who will join his tribe. Ralph says, "I'm chief...And what about the fire? And I've got the conch---" (Golding 150). Jack responds by saying, "You haven't got it with you...You left it behind. See, clever? And the conch doesn't count at this end of the island" (Golding 150). Ralph then says, "The conch counts here too...and all over the island" (Golding 151). Ralph desperately attempts to regain control by mentioning the conch, but the majority of the boys side with Jack who no longer abides by the conch.
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