Ralph's Power In Lord Of The Flies

Have you ever read Lord Of The Flies? If not you should because it is a thought provoking and interesting book. In the book Lord Of The Flies by William Golding a group of plane wrecked boys attempt to lead themselves, Ralph being one of the main characters. Throughout the book Ralph attempts to maintain authority and civilization; often ending up facing against Jack, with whom he struggles for power; often struggling over one of the three powerful symbols revealing his inner nature.

There are three main symbols which recur throughout the book. The conch represents Ralph’s power over the boys and is also a symbol of just authority. Another symbol is Piggy’s specs which represent civilization. Ralph does his best to help protect Piggy and his specs; in part because they are used to start fire. Jack breaking one of his specs is a symbol for the breakdown of central authority. The third symbol is fire which represents structure and rescue. Ralph attempts to maintain structure so that they take turns maintaining the fire in an attempt to signal rescue which would return them to civilization. “We can help them find us . . . We must make a fire.” pg. 38

Throughout the book Jack and Ralph struggle for power over the boys in order to pursue their goals.

Initially Ralph is voted chief and Jack becomes head of the hunters. Over time their goals diverge and they become more antagonistic, arguing. One turning point in favor of Ralph is when he forces Jack to make a fire and move in response to his position “So Ralph asserted his chieftainship and could not have chosen a better way if he had thought for days.” pg. 73 Jack however regains power in hunting when he rejects the rules. Later he calls for a revote in chief but does not succeed. He choses to leave and most of the biguns joins. Then he consolidates power in killing of the second pig. From there on Jack gains more power and Ralph loses

power.

Throughout the book Ralph tries his best to maintain structure and civilization. One of his goals for the boys as a group to accomplish is the creation of shelters and he creates a total of three. Not because he needs to but because he knows the the littluns are having nightmares and wishes to help them. He also got mad a Jack when he started attacking Piggy and broke his specs. Than near the end of the book after killing Simon he feels remorse for what he knows was murder. “That was Simon . . . That was murder.” pg. 156 This indicates that he is a constitutionally good person who wants what is best for the group as well as brave since he is willing to oppose Jack

Over the course of the book Ralph makes a number of actions which define him. He takes on the responsibility of leading the other and maintaining civilization, something which he does to the best of his ability. He makes use of symbols to this end and often ends up in conflict with Jack over his goals. He does however prove that inside he is a naturally nice kid, not like Roger.