Ralph essays

Ralph essays Ralph, a twelve-year-old boy is deserted with a group of boys on a tropical island. He is the protagonist of Lord of the Flies. Ralph is the elected leader of the boys at the introduction of the novel, Ralph, along with the conch, is the primary representation of democracy, civilization, and authority. While most of the boys are intent on playing, having fun, and avoiding work at the beginning of the novel, Ralph builds huts and thinks of ways to increase their chances of rescue. Because of this, his influence over the other boys is very strong at the beginning of the novel. Nevertheless, as the novel progresses and the group reverts to savagery, Ralph's influence declines prematurely as Jack's influence increases. Ralph's responsibility to civilization is very strong, and his main wish is to be rescued and returned to the macrocosm instead of remaining in the microcosm. This influence gives Ralph victory at the end of the novel when he uses the stick that was sharpened on both ends, which had the pigs head on it, to defend himself against the hunters. Ralph realized that savagery existed in all of the boys when he learned of their plans to hunt and kill him. Throughout most of the novel, Ralph is incapable of understanding why the other boys would give into the unruly instincts of savagery. The vision of the hunters chants and dances confused and bewildered him. On the other hand, when Ralph participates in the hunting of the boar for the first time, he experiences the exhilaration and thrill of bloodlust and violence. When he goes to Jack's feast, the excitement and the emotion overtake him. He experiences firsthand the evil that is part of him, as well as, within all parts of the human race; it plunges him into spiritless gloom. When Ralph's misfortune is at its end, he is rescued and returned to civilization. When he sees the naval officer, he tells him what he has learned about the true human heart. ...