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Sedgewick Bell then began to add the dangerous element of natural leadership—which was based on the physical strength of his features—to his otherwise puerile antics. He organized the boys.

Despite being described as a dismal student, Sedgewick very early on takes on the role of a leader within the classroom. While Mr. Hundert is quick to point out that by humiliating Sedgewick in front of the class, he reduced the number of incidents, later it becomes clear that the staying power of Sedgewick’s early antics carries over to the organizing he does on the private island. Sedgewick is not only successful in arranging the guests’ travel and accommodation, but his guests honor him by dropping their forks at a quarter before the hour at dinner.

I did not know at the time what an act of corruption I had committed, although what is especially chilling to me is that I believe that Sedgewick Bell, even at the age of thirteen, did.

When young Sedgewick Bell loses the first Mr. Julius Caesar contest, he doesn't try to hide his cheating but instead confronts Mr. Hundert, wanting to know why he didn't tell on him. Even though Sedgewick is just thirteen years old and Mr. Hundert is a grown man, Sedgewick appears to naturally sense that he is more powerful than his teacher. After the incident, Mr. Hundert cannot meet Sedgewick's gaze or bring himself to tell Sedgewick's father that he cheated. It takes the rest of the story for Mr. Hundert to explain the effect of the moment on his life, while Sedgewick learns instantly that many people will simply look away when he breaks the rules and lies.

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