Ralph's Charismatic Leadership

German journalist John Zenger once stated, “Great leaders are not defined by the absence of weakness, but rather by the presence of clear strengths”. When one is forced into a situation where a leader is necessary, a person that displays the fundamental attributes will successfully guide the society. Throughout the novel Lord of the Flies, the boys on the island represent various aspects of leadership, characterized by differing strengths. However, the protagonist’s, Ralph, leadership undoubtedly triumph over the other boys because his attributes allow him to be a powerful leader on the island. Throughout William Golding’s novel, he clearly depicts Ralph as an effective leader through his desire for the survival of all of the boys, his adamant

Leadership is a very important characteristic which consists of several unique qualities. It can be found in families, among friends, at work, and within everyday activities. Good leadership can be very productive and can create a positive atmosphere. There are several qualities that one possesses to be a great leader. In the book, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, Ralph is the best leader. Throughout the novel Ralph shows initiative, determination, and responsibility in a way that makes him the best leader

A leader must possess leadership skills, whether good or evil. In Lord of the Flies, Ralph possesses three good leadership skills. Three leadership skills a leader needs to have is responsibility, determination, and initiative.

Ralph is the main protagonist in the story and he is the leader of the children on the island. Since Ralph was voted leader, he has the characteristics of leadership and he brings civilization and order to the story. Unlike the other boys, Jack and Simon, Ralph’s main focus is to get off the island instead of having fun. For example, Ralph tried constructing huts with Simon; meanwhile, the boys are playing and running off having fun. In the beginning of the story, Ralph’s power with the children was secure; however, towards the end, that power is being transferred to Jack. Ralph represents the

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.

Ralph the courageous leader from Lord of the Flies who is the primary representative of civilization tries his best to keep the boys in an appropriate manner. Ralph is a natural leader, and all the boys at the start of the book elect Ralph as the chief since they see him to be the most responsible person among them all. All the boys on the island face several problems throughout the novel, one of the problems was that one of the little kids thought there was a beast on the island. At that moment everyone thinks that it was just the boys imagination, and so they continue on to do their regular jobs. Ralph who believed in civilization, he too became in contact with savagery when he goes out to look for the beast with Jack, and his hunters, and they all spot a pig. during the hunt for the pig Ralphs becomes so enthusiastic in the hunt that he is eager to kill the pig, at that moment ralph doesn't realize that he was a savage. When they all reach the spot where the beast was, they all runaway since they think the beast is real, even though the beast was really just a dead parachuter. At this moment in the book the kids have been divided into two groups one was Jacks, and the other

He is a natural leader that tries to keep the boys focused on the end goal of rescue. When many of the boys begin to waver in their dedication to this goal, he reprimands them, saying “‘Do all of you see?...We’ve got to make smoke up there – or die.’” (Golding 81). He shows bravery when the boys are hunting the beast. When “Jack went red” (Golding 104) at the suggestion that he should confront the beast in its castle, Ralph says, “I'm chief. I'll go. Don't argue.” (Golding 104). A final example of his heroism is when he stands up for the weaker boys, such as the littluns (the younger boys) and Piggy. When Jack is angered with Ralph for trying to “Keep Piggy out of danger.” (Golding 101), Ralph says, “Have some sense. What can Piggy do with only one eye?” (Golding 101). Ralph is not afraid of becoming unpopular when he is trying to maintain order, but this may be one of his many unheroic flaws. Ralph is seemingly unable to comprehend that he must take into account what others want to do if he wants them to like him. He ignores their pleas for rest when they discover a castle-like structure and scolds them for not helping in the building of their shelters. While he may be right in the fact that they weren’t doing enough to help, he is harming his own image, contributing to the downfall of order. Additionally, Ralph is not immune to the inner evil within them all, as “Piggy and Ralph,

Ralph is not only a leader, but a voice of reason within the group. Ralph’s main priority throughout the novel is to be rescued, even when it did not seem as important to the other boys in the group. Ralph creates a signal fire and consistently reminds the boys that it is imperative to their survival. Ralph explains, “Don’t you understand? Can’t you see we ought to--ought to die before we let the fire out?” (Golding 81). Ralph’s scolding to the hunters is well deserved considering that they wasted a possible opportunity to be rescued after letting the signal fire go out. As time went on, Jack and his hunters become more and more consumed with hunting and order began to turn into chaos. The hunters chant, “Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Bash her in” (Golding 75). Ralph refuses to join the boys and viciously murder pigs. The boys’ hygiene habits were also worsening, to the point that the boys were defecating in the wrong areas. Ralph tries to address it at a meeting, but the boys’ find their animal-like behavior amusing. Throughout the loss of civility and order, Ralph always keeps a persistent effort to keep the signal fire going and keep order within the group. Ralph’s attitude towards the entire situation drops, however he never completely lost hope.

The existence of mankind on earth relies on various factors. The basic needs for us humans to survive are food, water, shelter etc. These though, are only the physical needs of man. Humans also have social and mental needs. These needs require us humans to have law and order to be able to coexist peacefully with ourselves, nature and the environment. The only way that law and order can be achieved in human society is by a higher authority, or some form of government and/or leader. William Golding tries to touch on some of these aspects of our civilization through the various characters he creates in his novel, Lord of the Flies. Leadership plays a very important role in the novel as it does in real life for us, because the characters need

Secondly, Ralph is not only a rational leader but also a moral person, who cleverly keeps the fairness in his group. “Ralph, looking more understanding at Piggy, saw that he was hurt and crushed. He hovered between the two courses of apology or further insult ‘Better Piggy than Fatty” (25). Ralph is sincere and considerate for other people. He apparently understand their feeling and particularly shows his sympathy for Piggy. Ralph is sensible enough to realize that everyone deserves to be respected. He believes no one should have to put up with being tormented. Ralph gently gains others’ support by treating them equally, showing his compassion and ability to empathize with them. Opposite to Ralph, Jack is immoral, violent and condescending. “He’s going to beat Wilfred” (159). He does not care or understand the natural equality of

While at Jack’s dining party, Ralph and Piggy decide to show up. Jack tries to convince Ralph to join their tribe but Ralph refuses: “‘I’m chief’, said Ralph, “because you chose me. And we were going to keep the fire going. Now you run after food-” (Golding 211). In this passage, Ralph and Jack get into an argument deciding who the leader should be. This quote clearly contrasts the two leadership qualities. While Ralph wants to keep the fire going, Jack just wants to hunt for food and have fun. This shows that Ralph is showing better leadership qualities because he wants to do what is right for their survival, rather than Jack who wants to do what is most fun for the team. At the end of the book, a Naval Officer finds the island submerged in fire. When he asks the boys the question “who’s boss here?’ Ralph immediately says he is despite what the other boys say. “‘Who’s in boss here?’ ‘I am,’ said Ralph loudly” (Golding 284). In this passage, Ralph is admitting that he is leader despite what the others think of him. He says this because he knows he has the most leadership qualities. This action shows that he is a leader because of his

I would characterize Ralph as a leader, but also a follower. Ralph is smart, and can make decisions by himself, but he can also make rash decisions. He could also go with the flow of other people. On page 39, Ralph is dumbfounded by the disobedience of the kids and Jack. All of the group members except for Ralph and Piggy climb up the mountain without his consent, and yet Ralph still follows them. Now you would think that Ralph being the leader he is would go up there and scold them, but no. Ralph goes up there and starts to make a fire. Ralph was not listening to himself, he was listening and following the paths of the kids and Jack. This

I would follow Ralph as a leader because he takes initiative in everyone’s safety, responsibility, and his determination of being rescued. Now those are the characteristics of a leader. Who wouldn’t want a leader with those qualities?

In Lord of the Flies, Ralph has the mental toughness as well as good physical status to survive the island. Sara Constankakis describes Ralph as, “The protagonist of the novel. He struggles with leadership, but he always keeps a positive message. Ralph is smart, for he knows what to do, and he always listens to Piggy even though he betrays him and is not a friend of his.” Ralph is the boy with the most strength in the mind, and he uses both of his attributes and he survives. For example, Ralph knows what to do when he finds Piggy after the crash. He gathers all the boys up and they meet everyone and elect a chief, in which Ralph is named chief. Ralph understands the situation, and he needs all the other boys to understand, so he says, “I’ve got to have time to think things out. I can’t decide what to do straight off” (23). Ralph wants the boys to know that all decisions will take some time, just like all political actions. Ralph needs to make sure he knows that he makes the best choice and that the choice benefits all of the boys more than it would hurt them.

Ralph is a static character. He maintains to prioritize the necessary need for the boys despite his own personal desires. For instance, while the other boys play like kids regularly do , Ralph is stuck taking on the actual work, building huts for shelter even though he hates doing hard labor. Ralph also plans and follows rules and showing signs of maturity and sanity by fighting the tendency to kill and hunt vs jack who’s a dynamics character who symbolizes savagery and chaos.