In William Golding's novel, "The Lord of the Flies," various themes of leadership are explored. One of the central themes is the struggle for leadership, which is evident throughout the novel. The lack of consistency in leadership leads to feuds, battles, and deaths among the boys on the island. However, Ralph is undoubtedly the most rational, civilized, and orderly leader, making him the best leader among the boys on the island.
One of the primary reasons why Ralph is the most qualified leader is that he consistently strives to make the right decisions for their survival. Unlike the other boys, Ralph doesn't allow his inner savage to take over. He prioritizes the boys' needs and commands them to build shelters and light a fire on top of the mountain. Ralph states, “‘There’s another thing. We can help them to find us. If a ship comes near the island they may not notice us. So we must make smoke on top of the mountain. We must make a fire.’”(Golding 38). Ralph's actions demonstrate that he acts for the betterment of everyone and not just himself. This is unlike Jack, who only cares about himself. Jack
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He is always understanding, especially towards the littluns. He values other people's opinions and never hurts anyone. When given the option to join Jack's tribe, Ralph declines, refusing to become a savage. He protects Piggy and doesn't use his reputation to harm others. In contrast, Jack is harsh to the littluns, ruthlessly beating one for no reason, and initiates the frenzy to kill Simon without remorse. William Golding ends the book by explaining the grief that Ralph went through, all for democracy and justice. Golding explains, “...Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend, Piggy.” (Golding 202). Despite facing near-death situations, Ralph sacrifices everything to help