Intellectual, sensitive, and conscientious, Piggy represents culture within the democratic system embodied by Ralph. His continual clashes with the group culminate when Roger murders Piggy by dropping a rock on him, an act that signals the triumph of brute instinct over civilized order. Piggy is dedicated to the ideal of civilization and consistently reprimands the other boys for behaving as savages. Piggy's intellectual talent endears him to Ralph in particular, who comes to admire and respect him for his clear focus on securing their rescue from the island. Though he is an outsider among the other boys, Piggy is eventually accepted by them, albeit grudgingly, when they discover that his glasses can be used to ignite fires. PiggyĪlthough pudgy, awkward, and averse to physical labor because he suffers from asthma, Piggy-who dislikes his nickname-is the intellectual on the island. With his strong commitment to justice and equality, Ralph represents the political tradition of liberal democracy. Nevertheless, Ralph remains the most civilized character throughout the novel. But he is susceptible to the same instinctive influences that affect the other boys, as demonstrated by his contribution to Simon's death. Although he lacks Piggy's overt intelligence, Ralph is calm and rational, with sound judgment and a strong moral sensibility. Golding describes Ralph as tall for his age and handsome, and he presides over the other boys with a natural sense of authority. The protagonist of the story, Ralph is one of the oldest boys on the island.
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