What is the significance of the opening chapter in lord of the flies by William Golding?

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What is the significance of the opening chapter in lord of the flies by William Golding?

The first chapter in the novel introduces the characters which will play the biggest roles in the novel and some of the relationships that will develop.

        The first character to be introduced is Ralph.  He is a fair-haired, good looking and well built.  On page five, Golding mentions that he might even make a boxer but insist that there is a “…mildness about his mouth that proclaims no devil.”  Ralph can swim as well.  The reference to his hair being “golden” and “fair” is very relevant and throughout the novel any mention of light is related to goodness.  Ralph comes from middleclass family and his father is a commander of the navy (this mite also indicate that he might be a commander of some kind in the future).  Ralph is fearless and seems to be at ease with his surroundings.  

When Ralph first meets piggy, he seems to be very distant and cool towards him.  He was not very interested in learning Piggy’s name after piggy had asked for Ralph’s, Ralph was not interested in the situation that they were in.  When piggy suggests that they should take a register of all the boys on the island to keep note, Ralph is unconcerned, “Ralph did not take the hint so the fat boy was forced to continue”.  When Ralph first learns of Piggy’s name, he is insensitive and laughs at him, however I think that this is down to him being a bit immature then to him being a bully.  

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On page fourteen, Ralph blows the conch and calls everybody; this could be seen as an omen that he might be leader in the future.  Ralph is the first to mention having a chief.  At the beginning of page seventeen, piggy sees Ralph as a protector “he shrank to the other side of Ralph…” when jack was first introduced.  Ralph is undoubtedly the favourite to be chief, the majority of the boys on the island wanted him to be leader.  Even though he was voted chief, he is fair and realised he should give jack some role.  

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