Character Analysis Lotf
Character Analysis of Ralph
Daniel Middleton
Ralph is the protagonist in the Lord of the Flies. He is the democratic leader of the boys at the beginning of the novel. Ralph represents order, authority, and civilization and believes that the group needs to cooperatively live and complete the projects necessary for their survival. “They obeyed the summons of the conch, partly because Ralph blew it, and he was big enough to be a link with the adult world of authority….” (Golding, p. 50). Most of the other boys more interested in playing, having fun, and avoiding work. Ralph, in contrast, started building huts and thinking of ways to increase their chances of being rescued. “I got this to say. You’re acting like a crowd of kids.” (Golding, 164). This quote demonstrates that Ralph trying to get the others boys to help him rather than just have fun and play. He is telling to the kids that they need to take responsibility for their survival. As the group gives in to savage ways over the course of the novel, Ralph’s position declines and Jack’s rises. Towards the end of the novel, most of the boys except Piggy leave Ralph’s group for Jack’s, and Ralph is left alone to be hunted by Jack’s tribe. Ralph’s commitment to civilization and morality is strong, and his main wish is to be rescued and returned to the society of adults.
In the earlier parts of the novel, Ralph is unable to understand why the other boys would give in to the instincts of bloodlust and barbarism. The sight of the hunters chanting and dancing is confusing and distasteful to him. As the novel progresses, Ralph starts to understand that people have evil inside of them and that given circumstances this evil will emerge. “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!” (Golding, p.168). Ralph seeks to remain responsible and moral, and not to let this savagery overwhelm him, and only briefly does he consider joining Jack’s tribe in order to save himself. Ralph recognizes that he also has
Daniel Middleton
Ralph is the protagonist in the Lord of the Flies. He is the democratic leader of the boys at the beginning of the novel. Ralph represents order, authority, and civilization and believes that the group needs to cooperatively live and complete the projects necessary for their survival. “They obeyed the summons of the conch, partly because Ralph blew it, and he was big enough to be a link with the adult world of authority….” (Golding, p. 50). Most of the other boys more interested in playing, having fun, and avoiding work. Ralph, in contrast, started building huts and thinking of ways to increase their chances of being rescued. “I got this to say. You’re acting like a crowd of kids.” (Golding, 164). This quote demonstrates that Ralph trying to get the others boys to help him rather than just have fun and play. He is telling to the kids that they need to take responsibility for their survival. As the group gives in to savage ways over the course of the novel, Ralph’s position declines and Jack’s rises. Towards the end of the novel, most of the boys except Piggy leave Ralph’s group for Jack’s, and Ralph is left alone to be hunted by Jack’s tribe. Ralph’s commitment to civilization and morality is strong, and his main wish is to be rescued and returned to the society of adults.
In the earlier parts of the novel, Ralph is unable to understand why the other boys would give in to the instincts of bloodlust and barbarism. The sight of the hunters chanting and dancing is confusing and distasteful to him. As the novel progresses, Ralph starts to understand that people have evil inside of them and that given circumstances this evil will emerge. “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!” (Golding, p.168). Ralph seeks to remain responsible and moral, and not to let this savagery overwhelm him, and only briefly does he consider joining Jack’s tribe in order to save himself. Ralph recognizes that he also has