William Golding's Lord Of The Flies: Character Analysis

Throughout the novel, as the young boys developed into their characters, hints of evil began to appear in otherwise kind younguns. Despite this pessimistic change in mentality, each male character demonstrated a harmony between the evil and good sides of a human being-the ability to hurt someone and the contrasted ability to act in kindness towards someone. This balance is portrayed in Golding's novel, as characters exhibited instances of kindness shown through their actions, speech, and thoughts, and in opposition, instances in which their actions, speech, and thoughts had injured someone. In this manner, Ralph demonstrates that good and evil exist side-by-side in every human being. Through his actions, speech, and thoughts, Ralph demonstrated that he had the attribute of kindness. In spite of arriving on the island as a childish young boy,

This is evident when Ralph constructed shelters with the help of Simon. Ralph argued that the island needed shelters because it would protect the boys from the weather and other animals. “If it rains like when we dropped in we’ll need shelters all right” (Pg. 52). From this action, Ralph revealed that he was able to show kindness towards the other children because of his concern about their well-being. Secondly, through his speech, Ralph demonstrated kindness. In the first official assembly that Ralph calls, he tells the other boys that they needed rules on the island, so that they could keep peace and order. For example, Ralph explains the way that talking during the assemblies would work: “And another thing. We can't have everybody talking at once. We'll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school. ” From this instance, Ralph’s speech shows that he is wants the boys to be able to have a peaceful life on the island, and to ensure this, there must be order. Additionally, through multiple conflicts with Jack, Ralph was able reinforce the rules and the