Piggy's Logic In Lord Of The Flies

Piggy’s Logic

In William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, Piggy is the most rational boy on the island compared to the other children. As a logical person, he can control his emotions and he is able to analyze situations with a clear thought process. His way of thinking is based on logic as well, and he expresses his feelings accordingly to the issue at hand. However, the boys, unable to comprehend Piggy’s words, decide to ignore him. Piggy’s personality nevertheless further enables him to resolve conflicts the boys may face on the islands. As Piggy tries to assist the boys on the island and sort out any issues or conflict with his rationality, the word logical is surely the most fitting trait . Piggy’s character in the novel thinks with

I know there isn't no beast—not with claws and all that I mean—but I know there isn't no fear either.’... ‘Unless we get frightened of people’” (Golding, 84). The way Piggy views life is revealed when he says this and to Piggy life is all technological. Piggy’s character makes him skeptical of the existence of a physical beast, and his mind gives him the idea that what they fear may soon become the boys themselves. Although Piggy has warned the boys of this possible occurrence, they laugh at him and brush off his theory as they commonly do. Piggy’s logical explanations are taught to the boys, but they won’t understand his words because his intellect overpowers the other boys. On the island, Piggy is quite vocal during the meetings, criticizing the boys’ actions. A situation when this occurs is during a meeting and he announces to the boys, “‘That’s what I said! I said about our meetings and things and then you said shut up-’...‘You said you wanted a small fire and you’ve been and built a pile like a hayrick. If I say anything,’ cried Piggy, with bitter realism, ‘you say shut up; but if Jack or Maurice or Simon-’” (Golding, 43). Piggy tries to explain the importance of rules in

On the island, the boys are continually arguing, especially when a rift occurs between the group of boys. One example of Piggy’s effort to resolve the problems boys have is when Ralph goes to Castle Rock to confront Jack. Piggy helps Ralph by repeating, “‘Ralph remember what we came for. The fire. My specs.’ Ralph nodded. He relaxed his fighting muscles, stood easily and grounded the butt of his spear” (Golding, 177). Piggy is able to stop Ralph with his reasoning. Moreover, Piggy’s logic helps Ralph keep his sanity for the duration of time that Piggy is still alive. Due to the fact, that Piggy is always with Ralph, his rationality helps keep Ralph from becoming a savage similar to the other boys. Piggy is the thinker; he is the logical side that supports order and civility. Piggy continues his efforts to stop the boys from joining Jack when he exclaims, “‘Which is better –to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is?’...’Which is better –to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill? Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?’” (Golding, 180). Piggy tries to convince the boys that Castle Rock isn’t as good as the boys think by talking about civility. He tells the boys to use common sense. However, the boys are unable to grasp Piggy’s words because they do not have a mind such as a Piggy’s. Which leads the boys to become complete