Piggy is the intellectual with poor eyesight, a weight problem, and asthma. He is the most physically vulnerable of all the boys, despite his greater intelligence. Piggy represents the rational world. He has learned to follow the rules and is reluctant to abandon the order and trappings of society as he knows that these are what hold society together: "Auntie told me" is what he often repeats in the first chapter. By frequently quoting his aunt, he also provides the only female voice. In Chapter 2 he says, "I bet it's tea-time," reminding himself of society's order. Piggy’s inventiveness frequently leads to innovation, such as the makeshift sundial that the boys use to tell time. It is Piggy who finds the conch and suggests using it to call the boys to meetings. With his scientific approach to problems, he is the voice of reason as he knows that building the shelters is vital to the boys survival. His glasses serve to start the fire that eventually signals to the ship that rescues the boys. In Chapter 5, Ralph reflects, "Piggy could think." When Jack argues with him, Piggy tries to reason: "How can you expect to be rescued if you don't put first things first and act proper?" As the brainy representative of civilization, Piggy asserts that "Life . . . is scientific." Ever the pragmatist, Piggy complains, "What good're your doing talking like that?" when Ralph brings up the highly charged issue of Simon's death at their hands. Piggy tries to keep life scientific despite the incident, "searching for a formula" to explain the death. He asserts that the assault on Simon was justifiable because Simon asked for it by inexplicably crawling out of the forest into the ring. Piggy's presence is consistent in showing the intellect of an adult and the order the other boys have set aside throughout the story.
