Lord_of_the_Flies__Piggy_Analysis

Piggy Character Analysis As an allegory, Lord of the Flies has characters that represent human traits. Therefore, these characters are not the typically developed characters of fiction books. The character of Piggy in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a perfect example of a person who may not be the best looking physically, but despite this, he has the right qualities of an excellent leader. Piggy represents the adult on the island; he represents the logical side of humans in the Lord of the Flies. Piggy is by far the smartest person of the group, as well as the most patient, and the most rationale. Piggy’s intellect benefits the group only through Ralph; he acts as Ralph’s advisor. He cannot be the leader because he lacks leadership qualities and has no connection with the other boys. When Ralph brings up the issue of Simon’s death, Piggy tries to keep life scientific despite the incident, “searching for a formula” to explain the death. “Life … is scientific, (Ch.5, pg.76)” He asserts that the assault of Simon was justifiable because Ralph and he were on the outside of the circle of boys that beat Simon to death. Piggy displays his intelligence a variety of times throughout the novel, one of which is during the chaotic time when the boys have recently seen “the beast.” The boys believe that there is a “beast” stationed on top of the mountain, making it impossible for them to light the fire. All of the boys, aside from Piggy, give up and figure that they will never be rescued because they cannot light the fire. “We've got no fire. That thing sits up there-we'll have to stay here,” Ralph said, losing hope before he even took the time to try and solve the problem. It is only Piggy who remains focused and makes the suggestion of moving the fire by the campsite. “We got no fire on the mountain. But what's wrong with a fire down here' A fire could be built on them rocks. On the sand even. We'd make smoke just the same. (Ch.8, pg.129)” This shows that Piggy is the brains of the group and motivates the group in ways that Ralph cannot. Aside from being the smartest person in the group, Piggy is also the most patient. Piggy is the only one in the group who takes the time to listen to other people’s ideas, even the littluns, who Ralph and the other older boys do not feel deserve respect. When the small boy with the “mulberry colored birthmark,” wants to speak Ralph is unwilling to give him the conch. However, Piggy insists that the boy has a right to speak. “Let him have the conch, (Ch.2, pg.27)” Piggy knelt by him, one hand on the conch, listening and interpreting to the assembly. Even then all of the boys, except for Piggy laugh at him until he cries because they do not believe that there is a beast. Piggy however, unlike the others, cares about the boy’s feelings and tries to help him rather than make him feel even worse. In addition to the boy with the birthmark, Simon also turns to Piggy for comfort. After Jack leaves the group, the assembly discusses what is to be done next. Simon wishes to speak, but like the boy with the birthmark he is too shy. “Again the pressure of the assembly took his voice away. He sought for help and sympathy and chose Piggy. He turned half toward him clutching the conch to his brown chest. (Ch.6, pg.93)” Simon turns to Piggy because he knows that Piggy will be patient, and listen to him without laughing as the other boys do. This shows that Piggy has a genuine compassion for other people. Piggy is also the most rationale person in the group. Piggy is the voice of reason and a symbol of civilization throughout the novel, and is always careful to make decisions that will benefit the group. While the rest of the boys devolve, or return to a more savage way of life, Piggy remains civilized. “He was the only boy on the island whose hair never seemed to grow. The rest were shock-headed, but Piggy's hair still lay in wisps over his head as though baldness was his natural state and this imperfect covering would soon go, like the velvet on a young stag's antlers. (page 70)” While the rest of the boys have long hair and dirty bodies, as well as a new way of thinking based on instinct rather that well thought out ideas, Piggy still resembles the civilized, modern man that he was when he first landed on the island. Piggy remains rationale and civilized even at the end of the novel. After Jack has stolen Piggy’s glasses, one of the last reminders of civilization that the boys had on the island, he still manages to remain calm and logical. Rather than try and fight with Jack like a savage, Piggy reasonably approaches him. “I’m going to him with the conch in my hands, (Ch.11, pg.154)” he will then ask Jack to give back the glasses because “what’s right is right.” Piggy has a respect for rules; he cherishes the conch because it resembles law and order, two things that are very important to Piggy. Piggy is a logical thinker who has remained civilized and clear-headed rather than turning into an animal-like savage. He is the only one of the boys who is able to make rational decisions in the best interest of the group. Without Piggy in this novel the story would have change drastically without someone as logical and mature as Piggy.