You might wonder what drives people to commit the most heinous and disgusting crimes imaginable. Man does not simply exist as evil, just as good does not exist without evil. The doppelganger, also known as an alter ego, controls the evil in a personality. Sometimes another figure in one's life can represent the doppelganger who influences the good to carry out horrible and savage acts. For starters, a doppelganger can be thought of as an evil twin or an evil side. Ralph and Jack are the two main characters in Lord of the Flies; Likewise, Gene and Finny are the main characters in A Separate Peace. Both sets of main characters become friends at some point; however, Jack and Gene are both doppelgangers of their friend in these two novels. The authors use their relationships to show each other's differences and how they affect each other - the bad more than the good. Doppelganger can exist in all people. Not only does the alter ego exist in all personalities, but it lives to destroy the good and creates problems in man. By envying others, attempting to eliminate and influencing the good side, the doppelganger aspires to authority and ultimate control over his own existence. An example of doppelganger characteristics is envy. For example, in Lord of the Flies, Jack tries to overpower Ralph and his authority over the children. Jack declared, "I should be the chief," with simple arrogance..." (Golding, p.22). Jack uses fear to force the little ones and some biguns to join his tribe of savages. Furthermore, it is evident in A Separate Pace that Gene envies Finny's athletic skills and his tendency to get away with things The author explains that "after all the deadly rivalry was on both sides. " (Knowles, pg.54) Gene believes that Finny strives... middle of paper......to. Overall, the doppelganger or evil side of one's being can be found in every person. It thrives destructively power and control. On the other hand, the alter-ego is necessary to sustain balance in one's personality. Although the doppelganger is shown as two separate people in Lord of the Flies and A Separate Peace, the doppelganger dwells in the depths of the universe. It can also emerge when they find themselves in dangerous situations or faced with a risky decision. Both John Knowles and William Golding illustrated the doppelganger principle and its evil characteristics that reside deep within through their fictional characters and. the situations they faced. Ultimately proving that there is a dark side in each of us. Evil lives deep within even the most kind, compassionate and loving person. We all possess this significant alter ego.