What is a leader? Well according to Websters Dictionary, it is a person who has commanding authority or influence. In William Goldings book, The Lord of The Flies, Ralph is the leader. He is the leader in the book not only because of his authority and influence, but also because of his focus, determination, and his ability to help in sticky situations.
Focus is something that anyone would need in the types of situations that Ralph has come across. In this book, he portrays such a focused character, because he is always thinking and he is always finding ways to keep everyone controlled. When they first got to the island, they were all panicked and afraid. Here Ralph steps up and lays down some simple rules for the boys to follow on the island. There arent any grownups. We shall have to look after ourselves. The meeting hummed and was silent. And another thing, we cant have everybody talking at once. Well have to have hands up like at school (p. 33). Ralph makes these rules so that when things got too loud and out of hand, everyone could talk in a civilized manner. They used the conch in meetings so that who ever had it in their hands could talk and no one else could until they had it. Piggy held out his hand for the conch but Ralph shook his head. His speech was planned point by point. (p. 80). As you see here, Piggy wants the conch to say something, but Ralph says no so that they dont get off track. Ralph also set up other rules like keeping the fire going. He did this because it was their only way of survival, and he wanted it burning all day and all night. This was focus on his part because he took the time to sit and think of ways for them to survive.
Another leader trait of Ralphs is his determination. He was always willing to go 120% to accomplish anything. Look at us! How many are we? And yet we cant keep a fire going to make smoke. Dont you see we ought to ought to die before we let the fire out? (p. 81). Right here, Ralph is frustrated because no one is able to keep the fire going, but he is willing to do it no matter what it takes, because he is determined to survive on the island and get rescued. And even at other points in the book we still see this same trait. Like when Jack and the other hunters towards the end of the story are hunting down Ralph, and he has the drive and determination to stay alive and hidden. He is then found by the naval officer and is rescued from the island, and into safety. By having so much determination to live and survive, he was rewarded by being the first one rescued. If Ralph did not have determination in this book, no one would have been alive. Ralph had a lot of will and drive on the island, and he helped do things that no one could have done if he wasnt there directing and guiding.
Last but not least, Ralphs most important trait is his ability to help in sticky situations. He was such a problem solver, always coming up with new ideas and strategies to help. Think. what was the sensible thing to do? There was no piggy to talk sense. There was no solemn assembly for debate nor dignity of the conchBreak the line. A tree. Hide, and let them passHide was better than a tree because you had a chance of breaking the line if you were discovered. (p. 196-197). Here is where Jack and the other hunters are searching for Ralph and he is trying to come up with the best solution for his survival. In that quote, it shows Ralphs ability to think under pressure. Ralph had to problem-solve a lot in The Lord of The Flies. Listen, everybody. Ive got to have time to think things outweve got to decide if this is an island. Everybody must stay round here and wait and not go away. Three of us if we take more wed get all mixed and lose each other three of us will go on an expedition and find out. Ill go, and Jack. (p. 23-24). This is a great example of Ralphs problem solving ability, because here he shows that right off, in the beginning of the book he is a leader and is able to calmly address what is going to happen and why. He also shows it in other ways too, because when they had no food, he had to figure out where to try and find some. Or when the fire went out, he had to figure out how they were to keep it going, and who was going to keep it lit. And when the boys were fighting, he had to think of a way to bring them back together. If only the other boys in the tribes would have done their part, everything would have gone perfectly. But for the most part, Ralph did the best job in doing what he needed to do and he helped out so much by problem solving and coming up with great ideas to help out everyone in the sticky situations that they faced on the island.
Some of the other boys in the story might seem good for the job of the leader too, but none of them possessed the kind of traits that Ralph did. Simon was very intellectual, but he was too quiet and had low self-esteem. And Piggy may have been smart, but he was such an annoyance, that no one wouldve listened to him. And then Jack was very authoritative and influential, but he was too violent, therefore two people were killed under his command. Thats why Ralph is the best person for the job. Not only does he portray commanding authority and influence, but he also shows focus, determination, and the ability to help in sticky situations.
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