A society will not be functional without the establishment of a leader. Good leadership is necessary to maintain civilized behavior and order within an environment. In William Golding 's Lord of the Flies, Ralph displays traits of a good leader even under various situations on the island. Some contend that Ralph fails to act as a competent figure of authority and causes the boys on the island to become savages. Despite his efforts, Ralph eventually loses his position of power to Jack and becomes an outcast to the others. However, while Ralph’s authority diminishes, to believe he is an ineffectual leader ignores the admirable leadership traits he possesses. The boys’ transformation into savages is unavoidable due to their age and the environment
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While the others are preoccupied by hunting or worried about the beast, Ralph remains focused on what is important to their survival and rescue. This shows that as a leader, he wants the best for everyone, not just himself. For example, when Jack and his hunters obsess over hunting pigs, Ralph reminds them of the shelters and signal fire, which are essential to the survival of the boys. He knows that the “best thing [they] can do is [to] get [themselves] rescued” (53) and understands the importance of the fire. Other than a necessity to their rescue from the island, the flames are also a symbol of hope. The signal fire gives expectations of leaving the island and being saved to the boys. Furthermore, Ralph expands on the optimism by convincing everyone a ship will come through soon and save them. He does this through reasoning that “the Queen’s got a picture of [the] island… [and] sooner or later, [they] will be rescued” (37). As a leader, he provides the boys optimism during the direness of their situation. Additionally, the fire symbolizes civilization, along with Ralph. He understands that the bonfire they make is essential to their return to society. When the other boys begin to lean towards savagery, Ralph retains his civilized …show more content…
His sensible nature comes out when dealing with the survival of the boys. He stays logical and civilized throughout the book. However, Ralph ultimately loses his position of power to Jack, leading some to believe he is a weak leader. The boys want someone to protect them from the beast, and turn to Jack for security within his tribe of savages. Although Ralph fails to maintain control over the boys, he constantly shows the good leadership characteristics he possesses through events in the story. Ralph tries to convince the boys of the impossibility of a beast existing on the island to calm everyone down and keep their focus on the huts and fire. Ultimately, his attempts end in failure due to the environment of their surroundings. The boys change into savages because of the atmosphere, while he keeps his civilized demeanor, showing he preserves his sense of order, which is important for a figure of authority to have. Without Ralph’s leadership, the transformation of the kids into barbarians would have occurred much sooner. He shows that authority within a society is imperative for it to function. The omission of proper leadership leads to a society devolving into
While the others are preoccupied by hunting or worried about the beast, Ralph remains focused on what is important to their survival and rescue. This shows that as a leader, he wants the best for everyone, not just himself. For example, when Jack and his hunters obsess over hunting pigs, Ralph reminds them of the shelters and signal fire, which are essential to the survival of the boys. He knows that the “best thing [they] can do is [to] get [themselves] rescued” (53) and understands the importance of the fire. Other than a necessity to their rescue from the island, the flames are also a symbol of hope. The signal fire gives expectations of leaving the island and being saved to the boys. Furthermore, Ralph expands on the optimism by convincing everyone a ship will come through soon and save them. He does this through reasoning that “the Queen’s got a picture of [the] island… [and] sooner or later, [they] will be rescued” (37). As a leader, he provides the boys optimism during the direness of their situation. Additionally, the fire symbolizes civilization, along with Ralph. He understands that the bonfire they make is essential to their return to society. When the other boys begin to lean towards savagery, Ralph retains his civilized …show more content…
His sensible nature comes out when dealing with the survival of the boys. He stays logical and civilized throughout the book. However, Ralph ultimately loses his position of power to Jack, leading some to believe he is a weak leader. The boys want someone to protect them from the beast, and turn to Jack for security within his tribe of savages. Although Ralph fails to maintain control over the boys, he constantly shows the good leadership characteristics he possesses through events in the story. Ralph tries to convince the boys of the impossibility of a beast existing on the island to calm everyone down and keep their focus on the huts and fire. Ultimately, his attempts end in failure due to the environment of their surroundings. The boys change into savages because of the atmosphere, while he keeps his civilized demeanor, showing he preserves his sense of order, which is important for a figure of authority to have. Without Ralph’s leadership, the transformation of the kids into barbarians would have occurred much sooner. He shows that authority within a society is imperative for it to function. The omission of proper leadership leads to a society devolving into