Lord of the Flies: A Tale of Integrity Under Pressure Bob Marley once stated, "The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and ability to affect those around him positively." Similarly, only a few British schoolboys in William Golding's novel Lord of The Flies maintain their civility while surviving on a remote island. While their adversity, inherent flaws, and surroundings influence them, many aspects threaten to erode their sense of decency. One of the characters to uphold his morality is Ralph. Piggy is another boy that consistently adheres to his principles regardless of external circumstances. Lastly, Simon remains a beacon of goodness until his unfortunate demise. Therefore, Ralph, Piggy and Simon …show more content…
He affirms that his beliefs encourage law, order, and the greater good. Even so, many boys oppose his ideas, prioritizing chaos, hunting, and irrational decision-making (Golding 31-32). As a result, in a dispute with Jack, the leader of the rival tribe, Ralph says, "Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?" (200). Ralph also attempts to explain the problems of ideologies, like how Jack and Piggy have divergent ideas about running the group. Ralph argues with Jack that the boys should focus on building a society with rules and structure rather than hunting and destroying things. Nonetheless, this argument foreshadows the fatal conflict leading to Roger murdering Piggy. Additionally, Ralph upkeeps his leadership capacity, an excellent illustration of how positive power can improve the boys’ livelihoods. Ralph proves he cares for others, even for those who oppose him (194-196). For instance, he understands that Jack is reluctant to climb the mountain ledge in search of civilization as he fears the unknown. In failing to stay strong, Jack argues against Ralph’s aid, leading to a withstanding schism between the boys. Nonetheless, Ralph states, "I'm chief. I'll go. Don't argue" (114). In climbing the ledge for Jack, Ralph does what is best for the group. He displays confidence in his abilities and judgment, willing to make pragmatic changes even when external forces oppose him. By demonstrating this keenness to take risks and make difficult decisions for the group, Ralph can overcome Jack's opposition and ensure the boys’ safety on the island (98). Ralph also defends Piggy, promoting his honest convictions while others ignore him. For instance, the boys disrupt Piggy while he holds the conch in a group meeting, devaluing the conch; Ralph then states, "Piggy’s got the conch… You’re breaking the rules!" (98). Having said this, Ralph stands up for