Essay On Piggy In Lord Of The Flies

The character Piggy in William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies serves as the intellectual balance to the emotional leaders of a group of shipwrecked British boys. Ironically, their new society values physical qualities over intellectual attributes whereas it is the rational actions that will lead to their survival. Piggy's actions and the reactions from his fellow survivors foreshadow his eventual death. Lord of the Flies is overflowing with creative

When first introduced, Ralph is not interested in Piggy, who was not popular because he was fat. “He tried to be offhand and not too obviously uninterested, but the fat boy hurried

In contrast t o the novel, Ralph would constantly support piggy, and stick up for him when he was being bullied.

He is often subject to harassment because of his weight. When taking roll call, Ralph introduces him as Piggy, so that “ a storm of laughter arose and even the tiniest child joined in” (Golding 14). As shown by this quote, even the youngest boys think they are better than Piggy because they aren’t chubby like him. He is much heavier than the other boys, which is one of the factors that sets him apart. He is never even given a chance to introduce himself; he is just given a nickname that exploits his weight. After this, Piggy never even tries to properly introduce himself. He knows that whatever name he gives will be rejected by the boys who view themselves as superior to him. Those who are isolated are also commonly made victims of. Once his tribe abandons him, Ralph is warned by Samneric about Roger and Jack. Eric says “‘They hate you, Ralph. They're going to do you. They're going to hunt you tomorrow”” (170). At this time, Ralph is considerably weaker than he was at the beginning of the story. He has no tribe to protect him, aside from a few littluns. Piggy and Simon are both dead, and Samneric now are joined with Jack’s tribe. Because of this, Jack can more easily target and kill Ralph.

When Ralph is trying to get the group back together he states, “Piggy could think. He could go step by step inside that fat head of his, only Piggy was no chief”(Golding 78). This shows how Piggy was the one that did all the thinking. This is important because even though he is not chief, he is the one that keeps the group moving forward with his intelligence. Then when Ralph is trying to think of ideas on how to get rescued he states, “But Piggy, for all his ludicrous body, had brains”(Golding 78). This shows how Ralph saw Piggy as the brain and the creator of certain things even though others didn’t listen to him because of his appearance. This is important because without the help of Piggy the fire would have never ever existed neither would they have been rescued. This is how Piggy's democratic values were shown because without him the group would have never progressed just like a country doesn’t move along without anyone using tactics to

     Piggy in the beginning of the book was using his common sense, he was intelligent, he knew what was right from wrong, and he could condone things that made him angry easily. In the beginning of the book, (pg. ) Ralph told everyone his name was Piggy even though Piggy specifically told Ralph that he didn't like to be called that name Piggy later condoned Ralph's action with great ease. Piggy's action's and behavior depended on his glasses. Piggy and his glasses symbolized intelligence, he represents the rational side of civilization. With the glasses it seemed as though Piggy made all the right choices, and he helped Ralph know what needed to be done with the tribe. Without his

Piggy has been shown as a weak individual since he suffers from many physical and medical issues, however could be displayed as the most rational

Ralph's character comes back stronger than ever before in the final chapters of the novel. At this point, like Simon had before him, Ralph becomes aware of the savagery existing within all the boys—including himself. "That was Simon," he admits to Piggy, recalling the barbaric act he took part in. Even upon Piggy's death, Ralph still manages not to let the savagery overwhelm him, only momentarily considering joining Jacks tribe for safety. His firsthand knowledge of his aptitude for sin builds his motivation to throw down the Lord of the Flies near the end of the novel. By the time he finally realizes the evil on the island is within the boys themselves, it is too late for Ralph to fight for anyone but himself.

He is eventually chosen as leader on account of his many positive qualities. He maintains a conflict with Jack throughout the entire novel, trying to keep order while Jack isn't as dedicated to it. The next person you meet in the story is a short fat boy, who wears spectacles. He is the most intellectual boy on the island, but since he has no social skills, he is usually in the background trying to maintain the peace. Together Ralph and Piggy represent the struggle for order and democracy.

The agony that Piggy is put through due to his looks acts as a vulnerability. Though that maybe his weakness, his strength, on the other hand, is his mind. His ability to come up with ideas keeps the society together and running. “‘Ralph!’ Ralph looked up. ‘We can use this to call the others. Have a

Piggy is incapable of completing physical undertakings. This, in turn, lowers Piggy 's chance of survival on the island. Piggy brings forth a suggestion to make a sundial clock. Ralph explains his feelings about Piggy’s ideas. “… his matter-of-fact ideas were dull…” (Golding 65). “Piggy was an outsider, not only by accent, which did not matter, but by fat, and ass-mar, and specs, and a certain disinclination for manual labor” (Golding 65). Ralph exclaims the group doesn 't have the supplies for a sundial clock and thinks Piggy is uneducated. Ralph states Piggy just thinks of impractical ideas while he sits and does no physical labor. Piggy is different and does not blend in with the others, not only physically but he has a unique personality as well. Ralph wants complete control of the island. He wants to be in command of everything while he sits back and does nothing.

Piggy's intellect benefits the group through Ralph because no one wants to listen to Piggy. He cannot be the leader because he does not have leadership skills. No one listens to Piggy's ideas so he can't carry them out. Piggy talks too much and thinks every conflict can be solved by talking about it.

In the famous novel named “Lord of the flies”, there are four main characters that William Golding built up to represent the typical personalities in human nature. While Jack stands for the powerfully instinct savagery, Simon represents the natural kindness and Piggy with his glasses is the symbol of wisdom, Ralph has the best conducts of a real leader as he was initially voted for chief. There are three main characteristics that mark him out as a felicitous leader: rational, moral and unflinching.

Regardless, Ralph remains the most civilized character throughout the novel, save for Piggy. At the end of the novel, it was somewhat tragic because Ralph finally understands that evil lives inside of all the boys. This leaves him depressed

In the beginning of the book Ralph is treated as an equal by the other boys due to his personality. '"He's not Fatty, cried Ralph, his real name's Piggy... a storm of laughter arose and even the tiniest child joined in'" (21). Ralph's personality is very similar to the others' because when he he acts immature the boys all feel that it's funny instead of telling him he's wrong and that he should apologize. Just after they laugh at what he has to say they are accepting him into the group. In the beginning of the book Piggy is outlasted because of his personality. '"'I was with him when he found the conch. I was with no. Before anyone else was.' Jack and the others paid no attention'" (24). Piggy's personality here comes off as persistent and, seeing as jack wasn't really persistent on being the chief his personality doesn't match up with him. When they don't allow Piggy to come along with them they are out casting him because, they don't understand his persistence because they never have experienced it. Piggy instead of coming across as want to help and just being persistent comes off as being pushy and annoying. In the middle of the book Ralph is becoming divergent from the group. "'That's dirty!' Laughter rose again...'" (80). Ralph has shown that he has finally grown up and he's starting to act like it as well. Just after