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Lord of the Flies

Piggy: brains, wisdom, and the human spirit anonymous.

In the introduction to William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, E.M Forster describes Piggy as not only “the brains of the party” but also “the wisdom of the heart” and “the human spirit.” This description of Piggy becomes more accurate as the novel increases and the distinction between savagery and civilization becomes clearer. At the beginning of the novel, Piggy may seem to the boys on the island a brainy nuisance; yet as Jack and his tribe rapidly dominate the island with their brute force Piggy’s insight, experience as an outcast, and staunch belief in ethical ideals keep him from falling into the lure of savagery. When Ralph weeps at the end of the novel, he clearly sees how wisdom, soul, and sacrifice have made Piggy a true friend.

Piggy, most commonly acknowledged as Ralph’s subordinate, brims with intelligence that is both beneficial and harmful to himself; while his specs, symbolizing brains, clarity, and his physical limitations, prove to be a supportive pillar of survival on the island. His responsibility and need for structure can be seen when he says to Ralph, “How can you expect to be rescued if you don’t put first things first and act proper?”(45). Chastising Ralph and Jack for running up the mountain “howling...

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lord of the flies essay about piggy

lord of the flies essay about piggy

Lord of the Flies

William golding, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions, piggy quotes in lord of the flies.

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  • Lord of the Flies

William Golding

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Study Help Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 5, Golding writes, "In a moment the platform was full of arguing, gesticulating shadows. To Ralph, seated, this seemed the breaking up of sanity." How is sanity defined? How does this novel contribute to an understanding of sanity and of madness? What are some other instances of madness in the novel?

2. Explain Piggy's point of view when he responds, "Course there aren't [ghosts] . . . 'Cos things wouldn't make sense. Houses an' streets, an' — TV — they wouldn't work" (Chapter 5). What does Piggy mean when he says that technology couldn't function if a supernatural beings existed?

3. Ralph says in Chapter 12 "there was that indefinable connection between himself and Jack; who therefore would never let him alone; never." What is that connection? How does it develop and what does it signify?

4. When Simon sees the Lord of the Flies, Golding writes that his "gaze was held by that ancient inescapable recognition" (Chapter 8). What recognition is Golding referring to?

5. Why does Simon's role as a visionary make him an outcast in the group? What other visionaries have been outcasts in their societies?

6. How does Golding use color to link Jack with the Lord of the Flies? Are there other instances of Golding using color to link characters or provide symbolism?

7. In Chapter 11, when Ralph announces that he's calling an assembly, he is greeted with silence. How do silence and speech function in this novel, and why is silence so threatening to the boys?

8. In Chapter 3, Piggy asks the boys "How can you expect to be rescued if you don't put first things first and act proper?" What does Piggy mean by "act proper?" Why does he feel acting properly will bring them success in being rescued? Contrast this sentiment to the actual reason a rescue ship spots their smoke signal.

9. Who or what is being described with this phrase: "There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill, and there was the world of longing and baffled common-sense" (Chapter 4)? How do the two worlds represent facets of humanity?

10. Describe some of the ways the vision of a human "at once heroic and sick" (Chapter 6) is represented in the novel and within the larger context of history as well. Does Golding prescribe a remedy for the "sickness"?

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Lord of The Flies — Piggy: Lord of the Flies Character Analysis of Leadership

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Piggy: Lord of The Flies Character Analysis of Leadership

  • Categories: Lord of The Flies William Golding

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Published: Aug 31, 2023

Words: 700 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

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Introduction, piggy's unappreciated contributions, piggy as a leader in lord of the flies, works cited.

  • Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. Faber & Faber, 1954.

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COMMENTS

  1. Lord of the Flies: A+ Student Essay: Would Piggy Have Made a Good

    Piggy may have the tactical smarts to be a good leader, but because he cannot convincingly act the role, he would not be able to marshal the boys if given the chance. Although his contributions often go unappreciated, Piggy comes up with some of the most important innovations on the island. He sees the conch's potential as a rallying device ...

  2. Piggy: The Voice of Reason in Lord of The Flies

    William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, is a compelling and thought-provoking story that explores the darker aspects of human nature. Set on a deserted island, the novel follows a group of young boys who must fend for themselves after a plane crash leaves them stranded. Among the characters, Piggy stands out as a symbol of reason and intellect.

  3. Lord of the Flies: Piggy

    Get free homework help on William Golding's Lord of the Flies: book summary, chapter summary and analysis, quotes, essays, and character analysis courtesy of CliffsNotes. In Lord of the Flies , British schoolboys are stranded on a tropical island. In an attempt to recreate the culture they left behind, they elect Ralph to lead, with the intellectual Piggy as counselor.

  4. Piggy in Lord of The Flies: Character Analysis

    Piggy's Accountability in Lord of the Flies. Piggy doesn't hold himself accountable for his actions and he really is dependant on the other boys. In doing this Piggy is giving the other boys the chance to take control of his own life and where it leads. Piggy's glasses were stolen by Jack and the hunters because they needed a way to make a fire.

  5. Describe Piggy's age, personality, power, and importance in Lord of the

    Piggy is an overweight, asthmatic boy who wears glasses. He is intellectual and not very good at physical labor. He is around 12 years old and looks more mature than the other boys. For example ...

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    Jack and the hunters focus on being the providers, always hoping to catch a pig. Ralph and Piggy endeavor to keep the signal fire lit, the hope of rescue uppermost in their minds. Piggy is noted ...

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    On the night of Simon's death, Ralph and Piggy follow Jack's tribe to Castle Rock for meat. When Jack and his tribe begin dancing wildly, Piggy warns Ralph, "Come away. There's going to be trouble" (151). Here, Piggy tries to caution Ralph not to get involved with Jack's chanting and barbaric behavior. Even Ralph, who is labeled an ...

  8. Lord of the Flies Essay

    In the introduction to William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies, E.M Forster describes Piggy as not only "the brains of the party" but also "the wisdom of the heart" and "the human spirit.". This description of Piggy becomes more accurate as the novel increases and the distinction between savagery and civilization becomes clearer.

  9. Piggy Character Analysis in Lord of the Flies

    Piggy Character Analysis. The smartest boy on the island. Due to his obesity and asthma, Piggy is also the weakest of the biguns. Piggy believes passionately in civilization, law, and reasoning through problems, but he seldom does any work because of his obesity and his nonstop craving for food. Piggy also has a tendency to lecture and criticize.

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    The character Piggy in William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies serves as the intellectual balance to the emotional leaders of a group of shipwrecked British boys, but he himself is not able to cope with the idea of change and fear is what holds him back. Their new society does not care about Piggy's intellectual talents instead they value ...

  12. Piggy in "Lord of the Flies" Free Essay Example

    Download. Essay, Pages 3 (587 words) Views. 759. Throughout Lord of the Flies, Piggy is an important character, because he tries to do what's best for the boys, but he has no authority because the boys don't respect him. The boys all together became uncivilized. Piggy, stayed the same strict rules obsessed, serious boy.

  13. Piggy Lord Of The Flies Essay

    Piggy Lord Of The Flies Essay. 622 Words3 Pages. The Demise of Piggy by Waylon Arcand In William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies" the character Piggy serves as a. poignant symbol of reason, intellect, and moral conscience. Despite his valuable insights and logical approach to problem solving, Piggy is consistently.

  14. Lord of the Flies: Study Help

    Get free homework help on William Golding's Lord of the Flies: book summary, chapter summary and analysis, quotes, essays, and character analysis courtesy of CliffsNotes. In Lord of the Flies , British schoolboys are stranded on a tropical island. In an attempt to recreate the culture they left behind, they elect Ralph to lead, with the intellectual Piggy as counselor.

  15. Piggy: Lord of The Flies Character Analysis of Leadership

    Piggy as a Leader in Lord of the Flies. Piggy's total lack of success in a leadership role suggests that there are significant differences between a "leader" and a "thinker.". Ralph has an aura of poise and capability that wins him trust. His authority is rooted in personality rather than innovation—he relies on Piggy for that—and ...

  16. Lord of the Flies: Piggy Quotes

    Give me my specs! Piggy begs with the boys to return his glasses in Chapter 2 during the first signal fire atop the mountain. This quote establishes Piggy as physically inferior to the other biguns, particularly when they gang up on him. It also foreshadows the importance of Piggy's glasses to the group's need for fire and the developing plot.

  17. Piggy Lord Of The Flies Essay

    Piggy Lord Of The Flies Essay. 1647 Words7 Pages. Jameson Tancredi Ms. Borrowdale ELA 750 9 February 2024. The Silencing of Reason Within the desolate terrain of William Golding's Lord of the Flies, the fate of Piggy stands as an allegory for the marginalization of intellectualism, drawing intriguing parallels to historical events, notably ...

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    Essay Example: The cinematic adaptation of William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' is much more than a mere survival narrative; it's a profound exploration of the human psyche under the duress of societal collapse. Released in 1963 and later remade in 1990, the film translates the raw intensity

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    Lord of the Flies written by William Golding, is an allegorical novel in that it contains characters and objects which directly represent the various perspectives presented within the novel. Golding makes use of several literary techniques such as symbolism, foreshadowing, irony and descriptive writing to deliver his ideas.

  21. Innocent In Lord Of The Flies Essay

    In the novel "Lord of the Flies," William Golding highlights the acts of evil committed by children who are still deemed "innocent". This accurately represents how human nature is evil, as seen in literature and the real world. Golding presented human nature as evil, that eventually will always win. Through a parallel of both the adults ...