Piggy's Leadership Characteristics

In William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, he uses a group of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island to illustrate the nature of mankind. Lord of the Flies deals with changes that the boys undergo as they gradually adapt and adjust to the isolated freedom from society and rules. The author depicts in vivid details the transition humans are likely to demonstrate from a life of culture to savagery. Each boy, in his own way, depicts a different characteristic found in a leader. I believe Piggy portrays initiative, intellect, and courage; he represented the scientific and intellectual aspects of civilization.

On the island, Piggy takes the initiative of recognizing all of the boys and learning their names. “Piggy moved among the crowd, asking names and frowning to remember them. The children gave him the same simple obedience that they had given to the men with megaphones.” This shows that Piggy took charge of the “littleuns” and they accepted him as the adult on the island. “The small boy held out his hands for the conch and the assembly shouted with laughter… ‘Let him have the conch!’ shouted Piggy… Piggy knelt by him, one hand on the great shell, listening and interpreting to the assembly.” This shows that Piggy cares for the “littleuns” and stood up for them against the “bigguns”.

Piggy also acts as the intellectual on the island. As time passes on the island, Ralph changes his views on Piggy. “Only, decided Ralph as he faced the chief’s seat, I can’t think. Not like Piggy…Piggy could think…But Piggy, for all his ludicrous body, had brains.” Ralph realizes that despite all of Piggy’s shortcomings, he’s smart. Piggy also acts as the voice of reason on the island. “What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages? What’s grownups going to think? Going off –hunting pigs –letting fires out –and now!” Piggy is always reminding the boys on the islands that they are not animals or savages and is always asking them what the grownups are going to think of them....