1. Lord of the Flies
Character Notes

2. Ralph
Physical Characteristics: “Fair hair” –blond, 12½ yrs old, strong shoulders, innocent and kind look, athletic
Personality: Protagonist, older, leader, struggles to establish rational order, excited about the island adventure, plot progresses through his eyes, his psychological maturation is viewed throughout the novel, maintains a conflict with Jack (antagonist) throughout the book
Represents/Symbolizes: common sense, desire for civilized life, represents the ways humans suppress the evil within their nature, democracy
Says: “We need fire in order to be rescued!”
“My dad is in the Navy, he’ll save us!”
Acts: as responsible as possible for a 12-year-old
Feels about himself: doubts his ability as a leader

3. Jack Merridew
Physical Characteristics: Approx. the same age as Ralph –maybe a little older, red hair, freckles, skinny, light blue eyes, “ugly without silliness”
Personality: Ralph’s Antagonist, seems to harbor emotions of anger & savagery, leader of the choir group (i.e. hunters), bullying, bossy, mean, manipulative & good with words, controlling
Symbolizes: Bestial/Savage instinct in mankind
Says: “We need meat!”
Feels about himself: Confident & craves being in charge

4. Piggy
Physical Characteristics: Close in age to Ralph & Jack, very short and overweight, wears glasses, has asthma, cannot swim
Personality: nerdy, does not care to do strenuous work on the island –asthma, raised by his “Auntie” because both parents are not alive, he sees what the rest of the boys cannot see, probably the smartest boy on the island, but lacks any social skills & has trouble communicating or fitting in with the others, tries very hard to cling to civilization & keep peace. Piggy finds the conch and befriends Ralph
Symbolizes: Science & Intellectual insight
Rational thought
Desire for clear-sightedness & civilization (represented by polishing his glasses repeatedly)

5. Simon
Physical Characteristics: younger than the three others (Ralph, Jack, & Piggy), but older than the littluns, short, small, skinny boy with straight dark hair, dark complexion, faints often from the heat –epilepsy
Personality: bashful, loner, helpful, caring, “innately good- hearted,” good & pure with a positive outlook, nature lover, no fear of the dark jungle, shining hope, cares for the littluns, sees beauty in the earth & its creatures (sees flowers as “candlebuds”), often wanders off to his “special space” –a tranquil spot in the jungle, seems to meditate
Symbolizes: acts as a character foil to Ralph & Jack, embodies an innate, spiritual human goodness, deeply connected with nature, morality, chaotic good

6. Roger
Physical Characteristics: small, furtive, stealthy boy with dirty & shaggy black hair, gloomy face
Personality: EVIL!, shows no mercy, sadistic, becomes Jack’s right-hand man – think Mafia “soldier,” Jack’s most loyal helper, gladly carries out his orders, wrong
Symbolizes: Epitome of all that is evil in the human soul –chaotic evil

7. Samneric
Physical Characteristics: twin brothers, “bigguns,” bullet-headed, hair like tow, chunky & vital, not enough skin –blurred profiles & mouths pulled open (Golding 15)
Personality: always travel and do everything together, alone –are incapable of much, allies/loyal to Ralph, treated as a single entity –hence Samneric
Symbolize: reliance & unity

8. The Littluns
Characteristics: Approx. 5-6 years old, group of younger boys known collectively as “littluns”
Symbolize: society, the masses, common folk – they follow the norm (whatever that may be)
Ralph & Simon –Protect the boys and use their power to advance the good of the group
Jack & Roger –Treat the boys as objects for their amusement and use their power to gratify their own desires