Ralph's Leadership

Leaders can be described as kind, caring, intelligent, strong, responsible, and intrepid. In the novel, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, a leader who possess these qualities is needed. The novel is about a group of young boys who crash on an island with no adults, and Ralph is voted as leader. His rival, Jack, later tries to take a position as leader and a battle of savagery vs. civilization begins. Ralph is an honorable leader, because he is responsible and intrepid, even though he can be indecisive at times.
One of Ralph’s various qualities that contribute to him being an honorable leader is responsibility. Towards the beginning of the book, Ralph was building huts “all day…with Simon. No one else” (50) to provide shelter for everyone.
One example is during the beginning of the novel, when they had just crashed and Ralph cannot decide where they have landed. Ralph decides to “go on an expedition and find out” (24). This is a prime example of how Ralph is intrepid, because he has crashed and does not know where he is, yet has the courage to look around and help everyone figure out where they are. Another instance where Ralph revealed to be courageous is during the middle of the book when they found Castle Rock for the first time and Ralph and Jack argue who should check for the beast first. Ralph ended the argument by reminding him “I’m [Ralph] chief. I’ll go” (104). This proves he is intrepid, because at this time mostly all of them was terrified of the beast, including Ralph, and once again they are on part of the island where they have never been before, and Ralph volunteers to check, potentially risking his life. Together these moments display how Ralph is intrepid, further backing up how he is an honorable
An example would be in the middle of the book, when Ralph explains the rules and reminds the boys he is chief and explains the new rule that “we [the boys] won’t have a fire anywhere but on the mountain. Ever.” (81). Ralph knows how to exert his power when needed and be convincing; indicating he is not indecisive, nevertheless he is an honorable leader. In addition to Ralph being an honorable leader, when majority of people had left Ralph’s tribe to join Jack’s tribe, who are savages, Ralph refuses “to put on war-paint and be a savage” (142) and join Jack’s tribe. Ralph recognizes that the war-paint symbolizes savagery, and that the second if he puts the paint on, he too will become a savage. He stays strong and does his best to not fall to the hands of savagery, because he knows they will never obtain rescue and keeps that hope. This shows how Ralph strong on his opinions, and is an honorable