One of the first characters we are introduced to in the novel is a young, fair-haired boy of twelve, called Ralph. He realises, that a world without adults means that they could do as they pleased but unlike the others he immediately realised the need for rules and organisation. “ Stay round here wait and not go away”, this is a great example of Ralph trying to be organized and not let the ‘littluns’ go missing. Ralph's rules keep the boys attached to some part of civilization, but without these rules there will be disastrous consequences.
He depends on Piggy to, like an adult, guide him and help him through things he’s not sure of. “Are there ghosts, Piggy, or beasts?” This quote is a prime example of Ralph’s dependence on Piggy.
I think Golding has portrayed Ralph as a character with many qualities, so through this young boy I think we are shown a positive side of human nature. What we must remember throughout this novel is that Ralph is only a little boy, he has all the fears of a little boy and all the insecurities of one.
Piggy, the next person we meet, is over weight, unfit and has asthma, but he is extremely knowledgeable for his age, which makes him the most intellectual of the group. Although he is physically unable and clumsy, he has a quick wit and thinks deeply about how to what to do in certain situations. It is his knowledge of the conch shell that allows Ralph to bring the rest of the boys together and he who shows the most concern for some sort of order. This is shown in his interest in names immediately asking Ralph for his, and wishing that Ralph would respond.
He is a very organized person, he tries to seem confident and calm, he tries to be an adult figure for the boys but inside he is very insecure. Piggy’s main concern is getting back home, as he feels most venerable where there are no rules and unlimited freedom, he has always been with rules and only feels safe with them. “How can you expect to be rescued when you don’t put first things first and act proper?” is a good example of this.
Piggy stands out from the other boys, for he is used to being a member of civilized society. It is Piggy who realizes that the boys fear is the only danger that they actually face. Piggy was an important figure in this story, without him Ralph would never have discovered the conch and would not have had many other valuable ideas.
Simon is obviously the most thoughtful character in the novel, he has a deep connection with nature. Simon feels at peace with nature and thinks of it more on a spiritual basis. While Piggy represents intellect, and Ralph represents morals, Simon, I believe, represents the spiritual side of human nature. Like Piggy, he is an outcast, as the other boys think of him as abnormal and mad. Simon believes that the pig’s head is a symbol of their drop from civilized behaviour to savagery. Simon is brutally killed when he tries to reveal the truth about the nonexistent beast. Simon always wanted to help others, and was an immense morale boost to Ralph when he struggled with his role of chief. He could almost be compared to a Jesus like figure.
The first sign of disturbance in what seemed a peaceful island is the introduction of Jack. Golding portrays Jack as aggressive, with Jack's choir marching in step with one another. We get an image of Jack being evil straight away, with his dark cloak and wild hair. The role that he first chooses for himself and his choir is as hunters, he chooses the task which is most violent. It is Jack who first oversteps the boundaries of civilized society. His attempts to successfully hunt become, shows everyone his savage nature.
The other hunters share savagery, when they dance and sing about killing the pig, they show that they have enjoyed the kick they receive from violence. He claims to be doing what is best for the other boys, but eventually his violent nature takes over and he is controlled only by his want for blood. Jack does show a bit of an interest in the rules of order established on the island, but is only happy when there is a chance of him being able to inflict punishment.
I think that during the book, it is human selfishness and the instinct to kill which turns the boys to savages. Golding illustrates human nature in a negative way, during most part of the book. It shows that righteousness is not always the path to follow, as evil can overturn goodness. But there are also positive views on human nature, mainly in the form of Piggy and Simon, who show that if rules are laid down and followed, the savagery can be avoided.
