Ralph Lord Of The Flies Identity Essay

The relationships that we have and form with others have a strong and profound impact on our sense of self and identity. In Lord Of The Flies, the protagonist Ralph’s sense of self is positively shaped by 3 important relationships: his friendship with Piggy, his rivalry with Jack, and his connection with Simon. These relationships help Ralph navigate his true role as a “leader” and Lord Of The Flies encompasses how the people we surround ourselves with have a tremendous impact on our identities and the choices we make in difficult circumstances. Throughout Ralph’s journey of self-discovery, the immense impact that others can have on our identities is revealed.

The friendship between Ralph and Piggy plays a pivotal role in shaping his sense

As the power struggle between them intensifies, Ralph becomes increasingly drawn to the thrill and excitement of hunting and the abandonment of societal norms. However, he soon realizes that what he is following is not morally right, which strengthens his character. Ralph joins Jack’s tribe in a violent chant momentarily caught up in the excitement of the hunt and losing touch with his morals. There is no hiding that Jack has chaotic and savage tendencies, representing the darker aspects of human nature. Ralph notices this and it serves as a reminder to him to not drift away from his leadership style of civilization and authority. Throughout the novel, Jack consistently demonstrates a disregard for rules and a desire for dominance and power. When he leads the boys in hunting and violence, he taps into their savage and primal instincts - including Ralph’s. As Jack proclaims, "The conch doesn't count at this end of the island" (Golding, 150) it becomes evident that he prioritizes dominance and power over order, authority, and the established rules on the island. In the midst of their destructive rivalry, Jack’s failures teach Ralph important lessons. Witnessing Jack’s inability to maintain the signal fire makes Ralph recognize the value of collaboration, communication, and planning for survival. Despite the seemingly negative impacts that his rivalry has on Ralph’s sense of self, the rivalry ultimately strengthens him by motivating his leadership and pushing him to navigate his power and