In "Lord of the Flies," William Golding presents a group of young boys who are stranded on an uninhabited island after their plane crashes. The boys are forced to fend for themselves and create their own society, but as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that the boys' attempts at creating order break down as they succumb to their primal instincts and the influence of the "beast," an entity that represents the primal, animalistic side of human nature.
One of the main characters in "Lord of the Flies" is Ralph, the protagonist and leader of the group. At the beginning of the novel, Ralph is chosen as the leader because of his charisma and ability to think logically. He is level-headed and tries to maintain order on the island, but as the novel progresses, his leadership is challenged by Jack, the antagonist and leader of the hunters. Ralph is ultimately unable to maintain control over the group, and his inability to keep the boys from descending into savagery reflects the theme of the inherent dangers of power and the corrupting influence it can have on individuals.
Another important character in "Lord of the Flies" is Piggy, Ralph's loyal friend and advisor. Piggy is physically weaker than the other boys and is often bullied and ostracized because of his glasses, which he uses to start fires. Despite this, Piggy is intelligent and has a strong sense of right and wrong. He advises Ralph on important decisions and tries to keep the boys focused on their rescue, but his efforts are often overshadowed by the more aggressive and dominant personalities of Ralph and Jack. Piggy's death at the hands of the other boys is a turning point in the novel and represents the complete breakdown of order and the loss of innocence among the group.
Another significant character in the novel is Simon, a quiet and introspective boy who is deeply in tune with the natural world around him. Simon is the only one who fully understands the true nature of the "beast" and tries to tell the other boys, but they do not listen. Simon's insights and wisdom are often overlooked by the other boys, and his death at the hands of the group is a symbol of their descent into savagery and the loss of reason.
In conclusion, the characters in "Lord of the Flies" represent different aspects of human nature and the dangers of power and the loss of civilization. Ralph represents the rational, civilized side of humanity, while Jack represents the primal, animalistic side. Piggy represents the voice of reason and Simon represents the natural world and inner wisdom. Together, these characters illustrate the theme of the novel: the inherent dangers of power and the corrupting influence it can have on individuals.
