Ralph In Lord Of The Flies Essay

Ralph, a round character introduced in Lord of the Flies, seems to be the most likable and civilized boy on the island. Ralph’s natural willingness to lead becomes apparent early on when he blows the conch shell and gains the admiration of his peers: “there was a stillness about [him] as he sat that marked him out: there was his size, and attractive appearance; and most obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the conch” (Golding 29). However, Ralph’s futile attempts to organize the boys, to build shelters and to keep the signal fire going breed frustration and make him lose his cool: “I was chief, and you were going to do what I said. You talk. But you can’t even build huts—then you go off hunting and let out the fire—” He turned away, silent for a moment. Then his voice came again on a peak of feeling. “There was a ship—” (Golding 99). Even after Ralph momentarily descends into savagery and takes part in Simon’s murder-- “That was Simon . . . That was murder” (Golding 224)--Ralph refuses to succumb
. . Suddenly Jack shouted in rage . . . They were both red in the face and found looking at each other difficult. (Golding 71)
This conflict between Ralph and his supporters—specifically Piggy and Simon—and Jack and the hunters escalates as Ralph attempts to maintain control and Jack does his best to undermine him:
“The rules!” shouted Ralph. “You’re breaking the rules!”
“Who cares?”
Ralph summoned his wits. “Because the rules are the only thing we’ve got!”
But Jack was shouting against him. “Bollocks to the rules! We’re strong—we hunt! If there’s a beast, we’ll hunt it down! (Golding 130-131).
Ultimately, Ralph and the boys that cling to the vestiges of rule-bound society and community cannot overpower the savage motivations of Jack’s need for dominance through violence and fear-mongering. Ralph and his allies' fight for what is right becomes more and more desperate as they lose the battle against Jack’s brand of tyranny, bred of violence and