Leadership In Lord Of The Flies

Leadership is required in order for a group to succeed. In the book, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, a group of British boys are left stranded on a tropical island. They are faced with many difficulties as the young boys must discover a way to survive until they are rescued. The boys quickly forget about social norms and disregard rules that their parents have taught them. Then a charismatic boy named, Ralph, is elected leader of the group and rules with a conch shell that he uses to call meetings. However, this presents a problem as the choirboys already have a leader named Jack. Jack feels as if he is more qualified to be leader and ultimately, Jack splits from Ralph's group. The two groups quarrel throughout the novel, but Ralph is

revealed to be a superior leader because of his rational decision making and his kind treatment of the boys.
Ralph is a rational decision maker because he sets rules for the children and decides what is best for the group. Throughout the story, Ralph emphasizes that a fire is needed as a signal for rescue. As leader, he instructs the boys to build a fire and to tend it as it is their only hope of being rescued. The boys do not share the same level of dedication to tending the fire, so Ralph becomes frustrated and reminds them that “the fire is the most important thing on the island. How are [they] ever be rescued except by luck?” (Golding 88). Ralph is able to recognize what is best for the group by tending the fire. He understands that the only way to escape the island is through rescue so he stresses the importance of keeping a fire going. Additionally, when Ralph calls for meetings through his conch, he keeps the boys under order. During these meetings, to speak one must “give the conch to the next person,” (Golding 36) while the rest are quietly listening. Ralph displays his ability to organize the group in a way in which they are productive and so they can collaborate in the future. By making rules, he gives the boys an authority figure that is missing from the island. Ralph makes it clear that he is capable of keeping order and settling on sensible choices for the group.
Not only is Ralph a rational decision maker, but his treatment of the young boys additionally shows his kind insight into human nature. Ralph's predominant authority is reflected in his consistent protection of Piggy. Piggy is the weakest of the gathering and is treated unreasonably a great part of the time by the other boys. At the point when Ralph is contemplating whether to blow the conch, Piggy whispers, "if you give up… what ‘ud happen to me?" (Golding 93). Piggy reflects on the fact that he is dependent on Ralph and he trusts in Ralph’s leadership. Ralph understands his needs and is able to show empathy and capacity to identify with Piggy. He outlines his comprehension of individuals by allowing Piggy to stay with him. Jack treats the young men, particularly Piggy, as inferiors which makes Piggy uncomfortable with Jack. Furthermore, the next day after Jack steals Piggy’s glasses, Ralph goes to “castle rock” to retrieve them. Ralph walks up to the narrow walkway and instructs Jack to “give back Piggy’s specs. If he hasn’t got them he can’t see” (Golding 177). Ralph stands up for Piggy and demands Jack and his hunters to return Piggy’s glasses. This expresses Ralphs compassion and kind treatment to Piggy because he knows that without his glasses, Piggy would be stripped of sight. Jack's disdain for Piggy demonstrates his powerlessness to comprehend individuals. Ralphs treatment to the boys demonstrates his superlative knowledge of human nature which makes him a better leader than Jack.
Even though it is apparent that Ralph is a better leader, some people may argue that Jack is better due to the fact that he provides meat and that he has more control over the boys.

Jack supplies the only source of meat for the boys on the island and is determined to kill a pig after his first attempt fizzled. He sets out on a hunt and “[he] cut the pig’s throat” (Golding 69). Jack and the choir boys are successful this time at hunting the pig, they march down the mountain fruitfully and carry the dead pig on a stake. However, this is a perfect example of how Jack makes feeble minded decisions as he chooses hunting the pig over tending the fire. Jack doesn’t focus on the long term goals of being rescued, and instead focuses his priorities on insignificant tasks. Ralph confronts Jack and says, “there was a ship. Out there. You said you’d keep the fire going and you let it out” (Golding 118). This irrational choice that Jack makes delays the rescue of the boys and entitles them to remain on the island until another form of rescue arrives. Another example of why Jack may be considered a better leader, is that he has more control of the boys and is able to get them to do the things he wants. When Ralph and Samneric go to “castle rock” to retrieve Piggy’s specs, they are confronted by Jack returning from the forest with another slain pig. Jack orders them to leave, but they do not listen so he orders his members to “tie [Samneric] up,” (Golding 179). Jack then turns to Ralph and speaks between his teeth, “see? They do what I want” (Golding 179). Jack has absolute power over his tribe members and they obey every command that he gives them, even if it means going against their former leader. Nevertheless, even if he has absolute power over his group members, his rule is dictatorial and gives his members no rights. Instead, Ralph has implemented a democratic system in which all the boys can be heard. During meetings Ralph establishes that “[they] can’t have everybody

talking at once. We’ll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school” (Golding 33). Through this way of proposing meetings, the conch shell is used to maintain order and to keep discussions productive. It highlights the fact that the only way to succeed is to work together as a group, thus making Jack’s dictatorial government look unstable and forced upon.While it is true that one might believe Jack possesses finer characteristics, they still do not prove Jacks capability of being a better leader than Ralph.
Ralph is overall a superior leader compared to Jack because he makes rational decisions and he treats the boys kindly. Throughout the story, Ralph focuses on starting and tending a fire to signal for rescue. He understands that hunting pigs and having fun is illogical and focuses on the long term goal of being rescued. Ralph also treats the boys with kindness and stands up for Piggy when Jack steals his glasses. Ralph also is able to identify with Piggy’s needs which displays his comprehension of human nature. Many people may argue that Jack is a better leader, but Ralph’s positive traits make it indisputable.