Lord of the Flies: Characters

Key Characters in Lord of the Flies

1. Ralph
2. Jack
3. Piggy
4. Simon
5. Roger
6. The Lord of the Flies (the Beast)
7. Sam and Eric (Samneric)

Ralph

Quote: "The fire is the most important thing on the island, because, because—"

Analysis: Ralph's struggle to articulate the importance of the fire reflects his understanding of civilisation's fragility and the need for rescue. The fire symbolises hope, civilisation, and the boys' connection to the outside world. Ralph's emphasis on the fire underscores his commitment to order and rationality. Golding uses Ralph's character to represent the democratic leader who prioritises collective responsibility, though his inability to maintain control highlights the challenges of leadership and the ease with which civilisation can crumble.

Quote: "I'm frightened. Of us. I want to go home. Oh God, I want to go home."

Analysis: Ralph's realisation that the true danger on the island comes not from an external "beast" but from within the boys themselves marks a significant moment of insight. His fear of the boys' capacity for violence and savagery reflects the novel's central theme: the inherent darkness within human nature. Golding uses Ralph's growing fear to illustrate how, without the constraints of society, even the most rational individuals can succumb to primal instincts.

Jack

Quote: "I ought to be chief... because I'm chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp."

Analysis: Jack's assertion that he should be the leader because of his previous status and ability to sing reflects his belief in hierarchical power and authority. This quote highlights Jack's obsession with control and dominance from the beginning. Golding uses Jack's character to explore how traditional symbols of authority can be twisted into justifications for tyranny, as Jack's leadership eventually becomes synonymous with violence and savagery.

Quote: "The mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness."

Analysis: The face paint or "mask" that Jack and his hunters wear symbolises the shedding of civilised identity and the embrace of savagery. This transformation allows Jack to act without the moral constraints that previously held him back. Golding uses this to illustrate how anonymity can lead to a loss of personal accountability, enabling individuals to commit acts of cruelty without guilt. Jack's descent into savagery represents the novel's broader theme of the thin veneer of civilisation.

Piggy

Quote: "What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages? What's grownups going to think?"

Analysis: Piggy's rhetorical questions highlight his awareness of the moral and social breakdown occurring on the island. He represents the voice of reason and intellect, consistently reminding the others of the civilised standards they are abandoning. Golding uses Piggy's character to symbolise the intellectual and rational aspects of society, which are increasingly ignored as the boys descend into savagery. Piggy's concern with "grownups" also reflects his desire for a return to the ordered world of adults.

Quote: "They're all dead... and this is an island. Nobody don't know we're here. Your dad don't know, nobody don't know—"

Analysis: Piggy's blunt realisation of their isolation on the island underscores the boys' vulnerability and the loss of societal protection. His awareness of their predicament contrasts sharply with the other boys' initial excitement about being on the island, highlighting his practical and realistic nature. Golding uses Piggy to underscore the dangers of isolation from civilised society and how quickly order can disintegrate when left unchecked by external forces.

Simon

Quote: "Maybe there is a beast... maybe it's only us."

Analysis: Simon's insight that the "beast" is not an external creature but a manifestation of the boys' own inner darkness is one of the most significant moments in the novel. This quote encapsulates the novel's central theme: the inherent evil within human nature. Golding uses Simon as a Christ-like figure, representing goodness and moral clarity. His understanding of the true nature of the beast contrasts with the other boys' fear and superstition, though tragically, his wisdom is not recognised until it is too late.

Quote: "The water rose further and dressed Simon's coarse hair with brightness."

Analysis: Simon's death is depicted with a sense of tragic beauty, as nature itself seems to mourn him. The image of the water "dressing" Simon's hair with light suggests a halo, reinforcing his role as a martyr-like figure. Golding uses the description of Simon's death to evoke a sense of loss, not just of a character, but of innocence and goodness. The peaceful imagery contrasts starkly with the violent act that caused his death, highlighting the senselessness of the boys' savagery.

Roger

Quote: "Roger sharpened a stick at both ends."

Analysis: This quote foreshadows Roger's intention to impale Ralph's head, symbolising his complete descent into barbarism. Roger's increasing cruelty throughout the novel reflects the loss of moral restraint as the boys are further removed from civilisation. Golding uses Roger's character to explore the darker aspects of human nature, showing how, without the constraints of society, some individuals may embrace violence for its own sake.

Quote: "He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling."

Analysis: Roger's transformation during the hunt, where his laughter turns into a "bloodthirsty snarling", illustrates his complete embrace of savagery. The juxtaposition of "laughter" and "snarling" highlights the ease with which joy can turn into violence when societal norms are stripped away. Golding uses Roger to represent the potential for sadism within humanity, particularly when moral boundaries are removed.

The Lord of the Flies (the Beast)

Quote: "Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!... You knew, didn't you? I'm part of you?"

Analysis: The "Lord of the Flies", symbolised by the severed pig's head, speaks to Simon in a hallucination, revealing the novel's central theme: the "beast" is not an external monster but the evil within each boy. The conversation represents the manifestation of the boys' collective fear and capacity for violence. Golding uses the "Lord of the Flies" to symbolise the primal instincts that lie dormant within all humans, which can surface when civilisation's influence wanes.

Quote: "The half-shut eyes were dim with the infinite cynicism of adult life. They assured Simon that everything was a bad business."

Analysis: The description of the pig's head as having the "infinite cynicism of adult life" suggests that the darkness within the boys is not just a product of their isolation but a reflection of the inherent evil present in the adult world as well. Golding uses this image to critique the broader human condition, suggesting that the boys' descent into savagery mirrors the corruption and violence in the wider world. The "bad business" implies that the evil within humanity is an inescapable reality.

Sam and Eric (Samneric)

Quote: "They breathed together, they grinned together, they were chunky and vital."

Analysis: Sam and Eric, often referred to as "Samneric", function as a single entity throughout much of the novel, representing the collective identity and the loss of individuality under pressure. Their unity and vitality reflect the initial hope for civilisation on the island. However, as the story progresses, their eventual betrayal of Ralph under duress illustrates how even the most loyal characters can be swayed by fear and violence. Golding uses Samneric to show the struggle between maintaining moral integrity and succumbing to the pressures of the group.