Lord of the Flies

In the book Lord of the Flies three characters stand out to be roll models and leaders of the group. These three people are Ralph, Piggy, and Jack. Ralph is a chosen leader, Piggy is physically unappealing and Jack is a hot headed choir boy. These three boys are often working together and apart and by reading the first chapter the character who will survive it all is Ralph. Ralph may be carefree and wild at times but he is also a leader. Ralph will survive because he is a quick learner, confidant, and unrelenting.

As soon as the story starts the book gives a description of Ralph as a boy who is carefree when he does not respond to an unknown person from the wreck. The picture the reader gets is of Ralph is not being considerate leader, and that throws the reader off. Later in the chapter Piggy finds a conch shell and explains that it can make a horn sound. Ralph is quick to understand as described in this quote:

Ralph grasped the idea and hit the shell with sir from his diaphragm. Immediately the thing sounded. A deep, harsh note boomed under the palms, spread though the intricacies of the forest and echoed back from the pink granite of the mountain.

Ralph makes the signal that brings everyone together and this shows he was quick to know what to do after Piggy told him. It is easy to say Piggy is the person, who knew what to do, but Piggy set his own limitations and Ralph was the one who took action.

Being a confidant person is important to gaining a groups respect Ralph is confidant when he decides the choir will be hunters. He takes his lead as the chief and designates certain people to a job and that shows confidence that he can be outspoken. Defined in this quote: “Ralph waved again for silence. ‘Jack’s in charge of the choir. They can be-what do you want them to be?’ ‘Hunters’” This quote shows that Jack assigned people to play different rolls in the community. He also shows confidence when he decides a signal fire would be helpful to the groups call for help. In a quote he declares: “There is another thing. We can help them to find us. If a ship comes near the island they may not notice us. So we must make smoke on top of the mountain. We must