Final answer:
Jack's act of slashing the green candle buds in "Lord of the Flies" symbolizes his growing savagery and hints at his descent into brutality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The moment in Lord of the Flies when Jack slashes the green candlebuds is highly symbolic and reveals much about Jack's character. This violent act against nature shows Jack's growing savagery and disconnection from the civilizing structures of society that the boys have left behind. It marks the beginning of his transformation from a civilized schoolboy into a primitive and brutal leader. The slashing of the buds could be interpreted as a metaphor for Jack's inner violence and desire to dominate, foreshadowing the destructive path he will lead the other boys down.