Qualities Of Ralph Leadership In Lord Of The Flies

The verb to lead defines as to direct the way, usually by going in advance. Characters, whether real or fake, tend to desire the ability to lead a group, which in turn causes conflict when more than one character wants to lead. However, not just anyone can be a leader, a leader must be able to guide a group to a collective goal. Few characters are ever able to do this without conflict and so the best fit leader must be chosen. A prime example of this is in William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, where a group of boys are stuck on an island and one must be chosen to lead. Jack, one of the main characters, is good at making sure the boys are having fun on the island. While this is a good trait to have, there is a character who is a step up …show more content…
Ralph shows this quality when he first lays down the rules of the signal fire by stating, “‘So remember. The rocks for a lavatory. Keep the fire going and smoking showing as a signal. Don’t take fire from the mountain. Take your food up there, ”’ (81). Ralph, as the current leader, takes initiative and makes sure that every boy knows that the signal fire is to be burning at all times to ensure a rescue. This shows how Ralph is able to see what needs to be done to achieve the group objective to be rescued off the island effectively. A second time where Ralph has to point out the reality of the situation is when he approaches the traitor savages at castle rock and says critically, “‘Look at that! Call that a signal fire? That’s a cooking fire. Now you’ll eat and there’ll be no smoke. Don’t you understand? There may be a ship out there--”’ (178). Again when no one else seems to care, Ralph points out the fact that they may never see any other humans again if they do not keep a signal fire going. Even when everyone turns against him, Ralph stills tries to stay the course and redirect the group back to a more humane approach of survival. Ralph’s understanding of the situation allows him to devise a plan of action for all the boys to follow in order to get off the island, which is what all leaders should be able to …show more content…
An example of this is when Ralph suggests approaching the traitor savages with the rest of his group and says, but “‘we won’t be painted, ’ said Ralph, ‘because we aren’t savages.’” (172). Ralph is able to see what has come of the other group and notices how savage and destructive they are. He makes sure that this is not what becomes of his group by telling them that they are better than that; he gives his small group strength and hope for survival. Even when Ralph could easily turn to the more reckless and fun side of living on the island he tells the hunters, “‘You hunters! You can laugh! But I tell you the smoke is more important than the pig, however often to kill one’” (81). Ralph assures them that while hunting is fun and full of adrenaline, it is more important to stick to the task of fire maintenance so they can be reconnected with humanity. The hunters want to run around and kill, while Ralph does not give in to the dark and more animalistic ways that they do, he stays strong and true to himself. In the end, Ralph is the strongest because he is the only one rescued from the island not a savage. Ralph is kind, objective, and strong. A leader should be kind because followers need to support the leader. It is important to be objective when taking a leadership role because people want a leader who can get them to that end goal. A leader needs be strong