Ralph Lord Of The Flies Character Analysis

There are certain traits that make a great leader. Those traits can be found in the character Ralph, in the Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding. As the novel opens, the reader meets the characters of Jack and Ralph who were stranded on an island with their peers. It is quickly realized that there is no adult supervision and the boys vie for the position of chief. Ralph, the protagonist, is elected over Jack, the novel’s antagonist to lead the group of young boys. Ralph’s best traits that make him a better leader include his ability to prioritize, his ability to think and recognize ability in others, and the attractiveness of his leadership that persuades people into falling under his leadership.

Ralph’s ability to prioritize is a prominent

The children do not hesitate to choose Ralph over Jack as a leader even after they have been exposed to the fact that he was chapter chorister and head boy. As shown in Chapter 1, “‘Because I’m chapter chorister and head boy’... the clamor changed from the general wish for a chief to an election by acclaim of Ralph himself” (Golding 22). Most of the boys do not heed to the fact that Jack has had prior experience in the matter and choose to elect Ralph. Soon after, when the votes for Jack are counted, the choir raises their hands reluctantly and as Golding states, “with dreary obedience” (23). The children who voted for Jack do not vote because they believe that Jack may be the better leader based on experience and character, but out of fear and submission to Jack. His authoritative style of leadership creates a disconnect between the children in regards to obeying his orders which will lead to less effective leadership in the short term and anarchy in the long