Character Analysis
Character Analysis: Ralph
Ralph is the leader of the group. He tries
to keep a democracy, but Jack's aggressive nature does
not allow it to last very long. Ralph is probably the
most likable person in the book, because of his good nature
and his handsome looks. Ralph means "counsel" in the Anglo-
Saxon language, and he's the one who calls all the meetings
by blowing the conch, and he's chosen as the leader.
The conch is seen as a powerful symbol, and he holds it. Ralph does not
specialize in any area of human behavior, but he's good
all around, and Jack can be seen as his opposite.
Character Analysis: Jack
Jack is the most evil-minded person on the
island, the exact opposite of Ralph. Jack's name comes
from Hebrew and means "one who supplants," meaning he
takes over by force. Jack is angry that he is not elected
as leader, but his appearance (dressed in
black, red hair, etc.) makes us feel uncomfortable about
him. All he wants to do is kill pigs. Jack constantly
harasses Piggy, and in the end he turns on Ralph.
Character Analysis: Piggy
Piggy is the smart and logical one, though
not quite as perceptive and biblical as Simon is. The
name Piggy connects him to the pigs that the boys want
to kill and eat, and shows how much he is disliked by
the boys. He is set apart from the others because of his
glasses, and his "ass-mar," and his weight. Piggy is Ralph's advisor, and
is the one to suggest blowing into the conch. Piggy is
smart, but has no place in the land of the wild. He is not
fit to live with the new-born savages. In the end, his
death brings a symbolic end to civilization on the island.
Character Analysis: Simon
Simon means "listener" in Hebrew, and is also
the name of one of Jesus' apostles, Simon Peter. He is
the spiritual one, and is very perceptive. Simon sees beyond
the surface of things. Simon is a loner, and often goes off
on his own. He is the kindest of the boys, but is very nervous,
and whenever he's in front of the assembly, he's always
mumbling and gets scared. Simon is the only one who actually
sees the Lord of the Flies, and realizes that it's a beast
within himself.
Character Analysis: Roger
Roger means "spear" in German. He is Jack's
henchman, and backs up Jack's leadership. Roger may be the
most evil boy on the island, right after Jack. At first he was stopped from
doing evil by his civilized nature, not wanting to get in
trouble by bothering the littluns. But as time goes on, this
wears away, and he is held back no longer. Civilization was
his restraint. He is the one who pushes the boulder that
kills Piggy.
Character Analysis: Samneric
Sam and Eric act almost as one individual, hence
the name of Samneric. They seem innocent and friendly, and are
very loyal to Ralph until the end, when the evil and power
that Jack spreads affects them too. After they have joined the
hunters, they help Ralph a bit, by telling him about the plan
to "ululate" throughout the island to hunt Ralph.
In the end, they betray Ralph, probably
unwillingly, by telling the hunters where Ralph is hiding.
Character Analysis: British Naval Officer
The naval officer that saves Ralph may seem like
a salvation, but he represents the adult world, which is no better
than how the boys were acting. The revolver he has, and the guns
on the cruiser, show the destruction that is going on in the world
at the time. The boys on the island were not acting as bad as it may seem,
because there was more gruesome battle going on in the adult world.
The naval officer is just a symbol of the destruction and weakness
that adults can show as well.
Back to Main Page
