Ralph Leadership In Lord Of The Flies

Leadership is the key to survival. It means the position or work of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group. In the classic novel, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, leadership plays a large role in how the boys create law and order on the island. Three of the main characters are Ralph, Jack, and Piggy, who represent leaders in society. Ralph is Democratic, Jack is Autocratic, and Piggy is Laissez-faire leadership. Thus, the individual Ralph is a better leader than Jack and Piggy.

To start with, Ralph is a better leader than Jack and Piggy because he symbolizes civilization and order, productive leadership, and optimism. First, Ralph is a better-suited leader than Jack and Piggy because he symbolizes civilization and order. For

instance, Ralph expresses his value for the element of human morals and society when he states, “A fire. Make a fire” (Golding 37). Throughout his time on the island, Ralph continues his belief in civilization and order because it characterizes a person who acknowledges right from wrong. When he lights the fire, he recognizes how he does not want to stay on the island and prefers being in an environment that is safe and wholesome. As a result, Ralph continuing to be civilized and creating order has been developing his and the boys’ well-being and the faith of humanity on the island. Secondly, Ralph is a better leader because he represents productive leadership. For instance, Ralph plans discussions with his followers about their priorities on the island. Ralph approaches the choice, “Which is better – law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?” (Golding 200). As the chief, Ralph has to know where his follower’s importance lie and agree to settle the situation. To consult others of concerns displays how Ralph is towards others. He values equality and continues to focus on getting off the island, despite the other boys playing games and hunting pigs. Lastly, Ralph is a better leader because he represents optimism.

For instance, Ralph values the best in the boys, despite them turning into savages. His followers, SamnEric, left his tribe to join Jack’s violent affairs. However, Ralph reunites with the twins and realizes Jack is preparing to murder him. He is not in shock to learn about Jack’s vengeance, but questions, “Won’t you come with me? Three of us – we’d stand a chance” (Golding 210). Ralph cares for the twins’ well-being more than himself, despite them following Jack’s orders. He knows the reason SamnEric transfer to Jack’s tribe is because they are frightened for their future on the island. As a result, Ralph gives hope for them to survive on the island and believes the greater good is more significant than evil. Therefore, Ralph is a better leader than Jack and Piggy because he symbolizes civilization and order, productive leadership, and optimism.

Secondly, Jack is not a good leader compared to Ralph because behaves as a savage, has a desire for power, and is discrete. To begin with, Jack is not a good chief because he behaves as savage. For instance, Jack enjoys the thrill of hunting and violence rather than following Ralph’s orders of rescue.

Yet, Jack does not relight the fire and implies to Ralph, “You should have seen the blood!” (Golding 74). He must relight the fire on the mountain to be rescued, but Jack continues to act recklessly and hunt for pigs. Nonetheless, a leader is supposed to listen and care for other opinions and orders, but Jack only cares about savagery. The fact he did not relight the fire proves he does not care about anyone and their rescue. His acts of savagery come before civilization and order, resulting his behaviour not to be right for a leader. In addition, Jack is not a good ruler because he has a desire for power. For example, Jack prefers to be listened to than to listen to others. As well with leaving Ralph’s group, Jack creates his own new tribe and states to his followers, “We don’t need the conch anymore. We know who ought to say things. What good things did Simon do speaking, or Bill or Walter? It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us” (Golding 111). Jack assumes his position as the leader is the most important aspect to acknowledge on the island. Despite him taking his authority strictly, he does not show empathy or equality towards his followers. Also, Jack knows most of the boys do not want to capture the creature, but he continues to ignore their concerns. Instead, they are forced to follow his orders without the choice to share their opinions or fear of the beast. Jack would receive the advantage of committing any wrongdoing because he has the power of pursuing anything. Hence, his desire for power would not barely affect himself, but everyone else. Lastly, Jack is not a good ruler because he is discrete. For instance, Jack prefers to work on projects alone than to work together with others. In fact, Ralph becomes frustrated with Jack’s priorities of savagery and holds a meeting. While Ralph discusses rescue, Jack ignores him and shares his stories about killing pigs. Yet, Ralph asks Jack, “Hasn’t anyone got any sense? We’ve got to relight that fire. You never thought of that, Jack, did you? Or don’t any of you want to be rescued?” (Golding 111). Jack has changed from a civilized young boy to savage. He has no plans of getting rescue and prefers to stay on the island and act barbarically. Jack does not realize his actions of not relighting the fire impacts the rest of the boys. Like Ralph and many others intend to leave the island, but Jack does not care about their plans. Due to his actions, the boys could miss an opportunity from being saved and going back to their families. In summary, Jack may not realize his individualism could affect others, but a leader would recognize the problems they could cause on other people. To conclude, Jack is not a good leader compared to Ralph because he behaves savage, has a desire for power, and is discrete.
Lastly, Piggy is not a good leader compared to Ralph and Jack because he is rational, frightened, and physically vulnerable.

First, Piggy is not a good leader because he is rational. His personality of the intellect becomes clear when Piggy implies, "You try, Ralph. You'll call the others" (Golding 12). Blowing the Conch Shell led them gathering all the boys on the island to reunite and socialize. However, Piggy's pursuit of rational behavior creates controversy among the boys and created battles for who wants to carry out rules and order. Additionally, Piggy represents his analytical ideas specifically to Ralph and not to the other schoolboys. A leader would share his ideas with everyone who follows and who want the same plans as he does. Although, he sharing plans with one individual does not help the whole group of school boys. It appears to be close friends Piggy has would get to hear his opinions and ideas while living on the island. Piggy’s intelligence can bring prosperity to the boys, but he prefers to stay in the quiet and not actively participating with others. Thus, his rational mind cannot help all the boys if he keeps his ideas to himself. To continue, Piggy is not a good chief because is he frightened. For instance, Piggy prefers staying near to Ralph during meetings because of his fear of Jack. Although, since the meetings result in controversy, Piggy states, “What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages? What are grown-ups going to think? Going off hunting

pigs – letting fires out. And now!!” (Golding 161). He is upset by the fact the boys are changing from well-mannered British children to cruel individuals. However, he is scared to approach the savages about their uproarious behaviour. Piggy is not having the courage to discuss the destruction the savages commit proves he cannot make changes. A chief has the bravery to admit wrongdoings about him/herself or others, despite the negative feedback they would receive. Thus, Piggy cannot lead others because he has a fear of the savages. To proceed, Piggy is not a good leader because he is physically vulnerable. For example, Piggy cannot take part in endurance activities because he has asthma, wear glasses and is plus-sized. In the manner of Jack stealing his glasses, Piggy states, “Ralph – Remember what we came for. The fire. My specs” (Golding 161). His glasses are the symbol of intelligence, but without the glasses Piggy is meaningless towards the others. And despite his close friendship with Ralph, he may not survive by himself on the island. A leader should be able to actively participate with their followers and lead them toward success. They can demonstrate goals and plans with actions, rather than speaking with words. However, Piggy cannot inspire his followers when he does not possess the physical capability of demonstrating his wise concepts. In conclusion, Piggy is not a good leader compared to Ralph because he is rational, frightened, and physically vulnerable.
To conclude, Ralph is a better leader than Jack and Piggy. Ralph is familiar to many democratic leaders because of their ambitious approach of civilization and order, productive leadership, and optimism. Jack is similar to dictators because they behave as savages, have a desire for power, and prefer individualism rather than community. Piggy is compared to non-authoritarians because they are rational, frightened to negotiate with others and are physically vulnerable. Additionally, Ralph and democratic leaders share enlightening visions and goals with others to achieve the best results for themselves and their believers. The strength and performance a leader has is achieved from their followers who believe they are meant for greatness and success. Thus, an individual cannot perceive one’s words of leadership, but may perceive one’s actions of leadership.