Ralph’s Leadership: Lord of the Flies Essay

Throughout the book, Ralph stands for democracy, ‘we’ll have to have hands up like at school’ In William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies Ralph though not the stronger person, demonstrates a better understanding of people than Jack which gives him better leadership qualities. Ralph displays these useful human qualities as a leader by working towards the betterment of the boys’ society. He knows the boys need stability and order if they are to survive on the island. He creates rules and a simple form of government to achieve this order. Jack does not treat the boys with dignity as Ralph does. Ralph understands that the boys, particularly Piggy, have to be given respect and must be treated as equals. This makes Ralph a better leader as he is able to acknowledge that he was not superior to any of the other boys. Ralph’s wisdom and ability to look to the future also make him a superior leader. Ralph has the sense to keep his focus on getting off the island. He insists on keeping the fire burning as a distress signal. Ralph’s leadership provides peace and order to the island while Jack’s leadership makes chaos. Ralph as the leader on the island shows much initiative. He takes a great deal of control and is usually the first to step up in a situation to benefit the safety of everyone on the island. ’You hunters! You can laugh! But I tell you smoke is more important than the pig, however often you kill one. Do all of you see?’ He spread his arms wide and turned to the whole triangle. ‘We’ve got to make smoke up there – or die.’ This quote displays how Ralph is attempting to maintain order and civilized behavior. By being the first to tell them what to do and by showing initiative and by setting goals for the boys to follow, he prepares practical plans that will help the boys get rescued. He is trying to tell them what do to help save them so they will not die. Ralph also shows an immense amount of initiative when most of the other boys are concerned with playing, having fun, and avoiding work. Ralph decides to build huts as a method of survival. For th is reason, Ralph’s authority and power over the other boys are secure at the start of the novel. This expresses how Ralph has this idea, and stuck with it for the safety of him, and the others on the island. Under Jack’s rule, the boys become uncivilized savages. They have no discipline. Ralph, however, keeps the boys under order through the meetings which he holds. At these meetings a sense of order is instilled because the boys have to wait until they hold the conch to speak. When Ralph says, â€Å"I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking.† (Golding 36) he enforces his role of leader by making rules and gives the boys the stability of an authority figure, mainly himself. By doing this he wins the boys respect and confidence in his leadership abilities. Ralph uses his authority to try to improve the boys’ society. By building shelters he demonstrates his knowledge of the boys’ needs. When he says to Jack, â€Å"They talk and scream. The littluns. Even some of the others.† (Golding 56) he is referring to why the boys need shelters. They are afraid. Ralph understands that by building the shelters, t he boys will feel more secure. This illustrates his superior knowledge of people, which makes him a better leader than Jack. Jack fails to realize the boys need security, stability and order in their society. Ralph’s treatment of the boys also demonstrates his knowledge of human nature. While Jack considers the boys inferior to himself, Ralph treats the boys as equals. Ralph’s superior leadership qualities are reflected in his constant defence of Piggy. Piggy is the weakest of the group and is therefore treated unfairly much of the time. When Jack hits Piggy and breaks his glasses, Ralph calls it â€Å"A dirty trick.† (Golding 78) This shows Jack’s disregard for other humans; while at the same time demonstrates Ralph’s compassion and ability to empathize with others thus illustrating his understanding of people. Ralph’s â€Å"government† is a form of democracy which gives each boy equal rights and an ability to express themselves. Jack treats the boys, especially Piggy, as inferiors. When Jack gets meat from hunting, he gives everyone some except for Piggy. When Piggy asks for some, Jack says, â€Å"You didn’t hunt.† (Golding 80) Ralph and many of the littluns did not hunt, yet only this treatment is directed at Piggy. Jack’s contempt for Piggy shows his inability to understand people, as a good leader would take care of all of his followers. Ralph possesses this knowledge and is therefore a better leader because of it. Ralph’s common sense and ability to recognize what is best for the group as a whole further demonstrates his superior leadership skills. His main focus throughout the book is getting rescued and he puts much emphasis on this. He instructs the boys to make a fire and to keep it burning as a distress signal. When the boys do not share his enthusiasm for getting rescued, he becomes exasperated. â€Å"The fire is the most important thing on the island. How can we ever be rescued except by luck, if we don’t keep the fire going?† (Golding 88) Ralph’s determination to get rescued is not for purely selfish reasons, but rather, it is in the best interest of the group. When the boys join Jack’s tribe; Jack only satisfies their short term wants and needs, such as the desire for meat. A good leader however, should look to the future and plan accordingly such as Ralph does. Although these choices may not always be popular, the better leader will carry out long term plans. When Piggy says â€Å"Which is better – to be a pack of painted niggers like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is?† (Golding 199) he demonstrates how the boys; by not following Ralph, have been lead astray by Jack. Ralph’s main priority, which is getting off the island, is a wiser choice than for the boys to follow Jack. Unfortunately, the boys take the easier choice, which is to hunt and play games rather than keep the fire burning. Had they listened to the better leader, the novel may not have ended as tragically. Ralph’s clear understanding of people and their needs make him a far superior leader when compared with Jack. Ralph’s understanding of the boys need for stability and order through government and rules prompts him to improve the society in which they are living. Jack’s society was barbaric and savage and met none of these needs. Jack treats the boys as slaves and inferiors. Ralph’s patience and caring with the boys shows his ability to take charge and rule in an effective, yet democratic fashion. Ralph’s priority to get off the island demonstrates his wisdom and ability to make decisions. Although a good leader may not be as charismatic as a poor one, it is important to choose the leader which will meet the needs of the people. The popularity of an inferior leader soon disappears, yet the wisdom and guidance of a good leader will always remain.