How is Ralph depicted as a leader in "Lord of the Flies"?

English · Middle School · Thu Feb 04 2021

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In "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding, Ralph is depicted as a leader in several ways:

1. Natural Leadership: Ralph is portrayed as having a natural charisma and authority that influences the other boys to elect him as their chief over Jack, who aggressively seeks the position.

2. Symbol of Order and Civilization: Ralph represents order and the desire to maintain the civilized behavior that the boys were accustomed to in their previous lives. He emphasizes the need for rules, shelters, and a signal fire to increase the chances of being rescued.

3. Rational Decision-Maker: Ralph tends to make decisions based on logic and foresight. This contrasts with Jack's impulsive and aggressive leadership style. Ralph's focus is on long-term survival and rescue, rather than giving in to the immediate gratification of hunting and playing.

4. Inherent Goodness: Unlike Jack, Ralph conveys a sense of moral integrity and inherent goodness. He struggles to keep the group together and maintain their moral compass amid the descent into savagery.

5. Flawed Leadership: Despite his positive qualities, Ralph's leadership is not flawless. He faces challenges in asserting his authority and often struggles to implement his ideas. He is sometimes indecisive and fails to prevent the eventual breakdown of order within the group.

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