How does the author illustrate the theme of working together through his depiction of the conflict between the gentleman and the commoners?

The conflict between the gentlemen and the commoners leads to much trouble for the colony, and essentially leads to its near-failure many times. From the beginning chapters, the gentlemen hold themselves apart, refusing to work like the rest toward what ought to be their common goal. They refuse to listen to experience and wisdom. In Chapters 15-16, they even decide to abandon the commoners to starvation and steal all the food. Wingfield himself, as president of the colony, hoards food while people around him are starving.