There are always people who, in a group, come out with better qualities as a leaderthan others. The strongest people however, become the greater influences, which theothers decide to follow. However, sometimes the strongest person is not the bestchoice. Authors often show how humans select this stronger person, in order to give anunderstanding of the different powers that some people can posses over others. In
com/how-william-golding-conveys-his-message/">William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies Ralph though not the stronger person,demonstrates a better understanding of people which gives Ralph better leadershipRalph displays useful human qualities as a leader by working towards the betterment ofthe boys' society. He knows that in order to stay civilized the boys need stability andorder. He creates rules and a simple form of government to achieve this order. Ralphunderstands that the boys, particularly Piggy, have to be given respect and must betreated as equals. This makes Ralph a better leader, as he is able to acknowledge thathe was not superior to any of the other boys.
Ralph's wisdom and ability to look to thefuture also make him a superior leader. Ralph has the sense to keep his focus ongetting off the island. He insists on keeping the fire burning as a distress signal. Ralph'sleadership provides peace and order to the island while Jack's leadership creates chaos.Under Jack's rule, the boys become uncivilized savages. They have no discipline.
Ralph,however, keeps the boys under order through the meetings, which he himself calls. Atthese meetings a sense of order is instilled because the boys have to wait until theyhold the conch to speak. When Ralph says, "I'll give the conch to the next person tospeak. He can hold it when he's speaking." (Golding 36) by making such rules as these,and by giving the boys the stability of an authority figure, mainly himself, he enforceshis role of leader. He wins the boys respect and confidence in his leadership abilities.
Ralph uses his authority to try to improve the boys' society. By building shelters hedemonstrates his knowledge of the boys' needs. When he says to Jack, "They talk andscream. The littluns. Even some of the others." (Golding 56) he is referring to why theboys need shelters; they are afraid.
Jack fails to realize the boys need security,stability and order in their society. Ralph understands that by building the shelters, theboys will feel more secure. This illustrates his superior knowledge of people, whichmakes him a better leader than Jack.Ralph's treatment of the boys demonstrates his understanding of how people should betreated.
While Jack considers the boys inferior to himself, Ralph treats the boys asequals. Ralph's superior leadership qualities are reflected in his constant defence ofPiggy. Piggy is the weakest of the group and is therefore treated unfairly much of thetime. When Jack hits Piggy and breaks his glasses, Ralph calls it "A dirty trick." (Golding78) Ralph's compassion and ability to empathize with others thus illustrating hisunderstanding of people; while at the same time demonstrates Jack's disregard forother humans. Ralph's "government" is a form of democracy which gives each boy equalrights and an ability to express themselves.
Jack treats the boys, especially Piggy, asinferiors. When Jack gets meat from hunting, he gives everyone some except for Piggy.When Piggy asks for some, Jack says, "You didn't hunt." (Golding 80) Ralph and manythe littluns did not hunt, yet only this treatment is directed at Piggy.
Jack's contemptfor Piggy shows his inability to understand people, while a good leader would take careof all of his followers. Ralph possesses this understanding and is therefore a betterRalph's common sense and ability to recognize what is best for the group as a wholefurther demonstrates his superior leadership skills. His main focus throughout the bookis getting rescued and he puts much emphasis on this. He instructs the boys to make afire and to keep it burning as a distress signal.
When the boys do not share hisenthusiasm for getting rescued, he becomes exasperated. "The fire is the mostimportant thing on the island. How can we ever be rescued except by luck, if we don'tkeep the fire going?" (Golding 88) Ralph's determination to get rescued is not for purelyselfish reasons, but rather, it is in the best interest of the group. When the boys joinJack's tribe; Jack only satisfies their short term wants and needs, such as the desirefor meat. A good leader however, should look to the future and plan accordingly suchas Ralph does. Although these choices may not always be popular, the better leaderwill carry out long term plans.
When Piggy says "Which is better - to be a pack ofpainted niggers like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is?" (Golding 199) hedemonstrates how the boys; by not following Ralph, have been lead astray by Jack.Ralph's main priority, is getting off the island, a much wiser choice for the boys tofollow. Unfortunately, the boys decide to follow Jack, whose main priority is to hunt andplay games rather than try to be saved. Had they listened to the better leader, thenovel may not have ended as tragically.Ralph's clear understanding of people and their needs make him a far superior leaderwhen compared with Jack.
Ralph's understanding of the boys need for stability andorder through government and rules prompts him to improve the society in which theyare living. Jack's society was barbaric and savage and met none of these needs. Jacktreats the boys as slaves and inferiors. Ralph's patience and caring with the boysshows his ability to take charge and rule in an effective, yet democratic fashion.
Ralph's priority to get off the island demonstrates his wisdom and ability to makedecisions. Although a good leader may not be as charismatic as a poor one, it isimportant to choose the leader who will meet the needs of the people. The popularityof an inferior leader soon disappears, yet the wisdom and guidance of a good leader willBibliography:Ralph's clear understanding of people and their needs make him a far superior leaderwhen compared with Jack. Ralph's understanding of the boys need for stability andorder through government and rules prompts him to improve the society in which theyare living.
Jack's society was barbaric and savage and met none of these needs. Jacktreats the boys as slaves and inferiors. Ralph's patience and caring with the boysshows his ability to take charge and rule in an effective, yet democratic fashion.Ralph's priority to get off the island demonstrates his wisdom and ability to makedecisions. Although a good leader may not be as charismatic as a poor one, it isimportant to choose the leader who will meet the needs of the people.
The popularityof an inferior leader soon disappears, yet the wisdom and guidance of a good leader willalways remain.
