Topic > Character Leadership Analysis in "Lord of the Flies"

Leadership is essential in a group of people, without it people become uncivilized. However, a strong person is not always the best leader, a great example of this is in the book Lord of the Flies. Jack is the strongest boy, but he only focuses on one aspect of survival: food. Ralph is a weak boy and focuses on all aspects of survival: food, shelter, water and rescue. Ralph also understands the feelings and thoughts of other boys and can also represent empathy. It also sets limits and rules that give kids something to focus on besides playing on the island. Ralph's motivation to be saved and remain civilized made him the best leader on the island. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Ralph paid attention to all aspects of survival unlike Jack who only focused on one. On page 38, Ralph says, “So we have to make smoke on the mountain top. We need to light a fire. This shows that Ralph was focused on getting himself saved by lighting a fire to produce smoke; fire is an aspect of survival. The fire was a smart decision on Ralph's part as he saves the boys at the end of the book. It also helps create shelter, another aspect of survival, on page 50 Ralph states: “I've been working for days now. And look!" this is in reference to the shelters he and the others built. The boys would only have meat and a fire to cook it on if they were under Jack's reign. Ralph was motivated to survive and be saved and it shows through the orders he gives. It also shows his ability to sense thoughts and other kids. feelings and can respond with empathy, a skill that every leader should possess. Ralph takes the boys' feelings and thoughts into account before acting, a great example of this is on page 138 when Ralph states, “The problem is, we don't have enough people to start a fire. You have to treat Sameneric as a turn. They do everything together." This quote provides evidence to support the claim that Ralph understands thoughts and feelings because he understands that twins do everything together at the same time, so Ralph decides that they should be considered as one. Jack doesn't take people's thoughts into account before acting, so he makes decisions that hurt people, Ralph has better "people skills" that make him better suited to be a leader. A leadership skill that Ralph also possesses is the ability to show empathy, on page 72 Ralph says that what Jack did to Piggy, (i.e. punching Piggy in the stomach and slapping him in the face breaking a lens of his glasses) , it was "a dirty joke", shows empathy for Piggy's situation and can realize that Jack is a wild boy. Ralph has the impulse to remain civil and to do so he uses his ability to understand the boys' thoughts and feelings . He also understands that there must be rules and limits to stop kids from running around doing illogical things. On page 33 Ralph states: “And one more thing we can get everyone talking together school,” this rule is one of the first put in place to help keep the boys civil. The boys who stayed with Ralph remained civil compared to the boys who ran away with Jack. Ralph also establishes a rule that prevents the boys from defecating everywhere: "We chose those rocks right beyond the pool as the toilet." (Ralph, 80) . This rule may seem frivolous but it prevents others from making the entire island their bathroom. Ralph's rules are put in place to keep the kids from.