When Golding introduces Piggy as he comes out of the bushes, The author continually relates to the fact that the boy is fat in many descriptions, As we progress through the early pages, we learn more of Piggy's appearance through the conversation between Piggy and Ralph. "I've been wearing specs since I was three". With these descriptions, we are able to obtain a detailed image of this fat boy. The specs that Piggy wears are a symbol of his intelligence that is to be superior to the other boys. Piggy is not a natural leader he has the brains, but not the courage. We can see this when Golding describes the boy’s reaction to the loud and bossy Jack: "He shrank to the other side of Ralph and secure from the other side of Ralph, he spoke timidly". Many of the characters, especially Jack do not respond well to Piggy's intelligence: "You're talking too much shut up fatty". This is just one remark from Jack in response to one of Piggy's ideas. From this opening chapter, we can start to see the intelligence behind this shy and reserved fat little boy, and the trouble his brains might cause.
Jack is probably the last important character to be introduced. Golding describes his silhouette as a "creature" from a distance, with his black length coat looking incredibly menacing. Jack is described as "tall, thin and bony; and his hair was red beneath the black cap. His face was crumpled and freckled, and ugly without silliness". The first words that come out of Jack's mouth are orders that are barked to the rest of the choir. He is portrayed as relentless and unforgiving when Simon faints: "Leave him alone he’s always throwing a faint". This shows he does not care for the others, and has no sympathy for other human beings, compared to Ralph, he is the complete opposite, and is not a good listener and it is obvious he jumps into action without thinking. When Jack states, "I ought to be chief" he has jumped to the conclusion that there is no one on the island better suited to the role of chief than he is. This trend continues throughout this chapter and is set to carry on through the rest of the novel.
The boys respond to the Island in a way that had been affected. With all the boys in one whole group they attempt, with the aid of the conch and Piggy, to form a democratic society that reflects the civilization back in England. After the election of the leader, Ralph, there is some order, but shortly it is sure that there will be some rivalry for the leadership over the group. Jack, who is seen as the most natural leader within the group, is in charge of the choirboys. He is ready for action, and is ready to get started exploring this unknown and uninhabited island. After the election of Ralph, he wanted to make a big fuss and wants to debate Ralph's authority: "the freckles on Jack's face disappeared under a blush of mortification. He started up, then changed his mind and sat down…" At this point in the novel, he still has some control over himself and is able to accept a group decision. Ralph on the other hand, who has control and power over all the boys in the group, including Jack, is a bit lost by this new leadership role. At first Ralph attempts to create a bond between himself and Jack: "Jack and Ralph smiled at each other with shy liking…" Here, the contest for leadership and the rivalry between the two seems to have fall off, yet we learn more about the characters, especially Jack, who has shown a dominant and more evil side to his character, compared to the likes of Ralph.
As early as the first page, there are many signs that show all may not be well on the island and suggests that there will be problems ahead. Through his descriptive language, Golding uses and phrases such as "witch-like cry", "smashed into the jungle" and "climbed over a broken trunk" to emphasise the not so prefect nature of this tropical island by using negative description. In all three of these phrases, the impact is great. We are able to understand after studying the text that these descriptions are all clues of the menacing and negative situations that are to come. Even the use of the term "scar" to describe the rocks and setting leaves a negative impact, as scars are related to pain and the permanent remainders of wounds. Throughout this chapter, Golding continues to use words with negative connotation such as attacking, decaying, coarse and even the sweat and the heat on the Island is unbearable.
In conclusion, we can see that the first chapter of the novel, The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding is effective in establishing the characters for the rest of the book. We have learnt about the main characters and started to see the development of their personalities. Through Golding's use of language we have picked up many negative signs, and have learnt of concerns facing the boys stranded on the island this shall continue to grow and develop throughout the rest of the novel
