Lord of the Flies : Characters
Lord of the Flies is a notable literary work by William Golding. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Lord of the Flies.
Characters
Major Characters
Ralph: Ralph is the main character and the leader of the boys at first. He is about twelve years old, handsome, and confident. He believes in rules, order, and rescue. Ralph represents civilization and democracy. As time passes, he struggles to keep the group united. Sometimes, he also gives in to savagery.
Piggy: Piggy is short, fat, and wears glasses. He is very intelligent and always thinks logically. He believes in rules and order, like Ralph. His glasses are used to make fire. The other boys often tease him, but Piggy is kind and loyal. He represents reason, knowledge, and technology.
Jack Merridew: Jack is the leader of the choirboys. He loves power and control. At first, he tries to follow rules, but soon he becomes wild and cruel. He paints his face, forms his own tribe, and leads the boys into savagery. Jack represents the dark side of human nature — violence and desire for power.
Simon: Simon is quiet and gentle. He helps others and often goes alone into the forest to think. Simon discovers that the “beast” is not real but only a dead man in a parachute. He realizes that the real beast is the evil inside human hearts. Simon represents goodness, purity, and truth.
Roger: Roger is Jack’s cruel follower. He enjoys hurting others and later kills Piggy by rolling a rock on him. Roger represents pure brutality and human cruelty without any limits.
Sam and Eric (Samneric): They are twin brothers who always stay together. They help Ralph and try to do what is right. But in the end, Jack’s tribe forces them to join their side.
The Lord of the Flies (the pig’s head): It is a pig’s head stuck on a stick by Jack’s hunters as an offering to the “beast.” It becomes covered with flies. In Simon’s imagination, it speaks to him and says, “I’m part of you.” It represents the evil and darkness inside every human being.
The Beast: The “beast” is a symbol, not a real creature. It stands for the boys’ fear and the evil in their own hearts.
The Naval Officer: He appears at the end and rescues the boys. He is shocked to see how savage and violent they have become.
Minor Characters
Bill: Bill is a member of Jack’s choir and becomes a hunter.
Harold: Harold is a member of Jack’s choir and becomes a hunter.
Maurice: Maurice is a member of Jack’s choir and becomes a hunter.
Walter: Walter is a member of Jack’s choir and becomes a hunter.
The Littluns: Littluns are the younger boys in the group.
Henry: Henry is a littlun at whom Roger throws stones.
Johnny: Johnny is a littlun; he responds first to the first conch call.
Mulberry Littlun: The Mulberry Littlun dies when the bonfire gets out of control.
Percival: Percival Wemys Madison is a littlun who cries often and thinks the beast comes from the sea.
Phil: Phil is a littlun who dreams that something is coming after him.
Robert: Robert is one of the hunters. The boys pretend him to be a pig and hunt him in a play. They jab him until he cries.