If Piggy were given the opportunity to be in charge, would he make a Good Leader? In Lord of the Flies by William Golding Piggy’s personality and characteristics describe him as an intellectual, rational, independent, and thoughtful. On the Island the boys must work together and elect the leader. Piggy was never considered due to his lack of charisma and physique. Unlike, Jack and Ralph who have both those qualities. On the Island Piggy was almost seen as the outcast, that one kid that always gets teased, and no one will take seriously, the under appreciated one. Piggy does have the intellect to be leader, however he could not convincingly play the role of the authority figure. If he was given the chance we would not be able to assemble the boys if granted the opportunity.
Granted that Piggy’s contributions often go unappreciated. He is usually the brains behind all of Ralphs good ideas. He scarcely ever gets any credit or recognition for these ideas. Take the conch for example, Piggy knew it could be used as a device to keep order and democracy on the island. “A conch he called it. He used to blow it then his mum would come.” (Golding 15) This was how they rallied up all the boys, by using the conch, which was Piggy’s idea. If it weren’t for Piggy’s smart thinking, the island may have not have run as effectively for as long as it did, and there may have never been any sense of order. Piggy’s glasses also turned a spark into a flame when using science, his glasses reflected off the sun and started their fire. This metaphorically represents how intelligence sparks progress. Piggy is sensible, and honest while also willing to give the solid truth to the boys, when no one else would.
Despite Piggy’s commendable contributions there are times where he completely fails to show the qualities of a leader. He stubbornly holds onto rules that were established in the beginning of the book, thinking they still apply now that a majority of the boys have gone into a downward spiral of savagery. Hi stubbornness leads the others to take even more of a disliking to him, “Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back against a square red rock in the sea. His head opened and stuff came out and turned red” (Golding 181) In the ending of the book, he frantically waves the conch demanding order, but his demands end up getting him killed. Piggy also fails to show leadership qualities due to his lack of charisma, “Piggy spoke timidly…” (Golding 21) In the beginning of the book we find that Piggy is timid, he isn’t outgoing and gives off a cold vibe. At the meeting, he doesn’t try to connect with others.
Piggy fails to be a leader in “Lord of The Flies” however it takes us to the theme that civilization fails, while savagery engulfs like a flame. When the island catches on fire, it represents the ending, it represents that savagery has completely taken over. Leading up to this, Piggy’s death also symbolized the ending of civilization. Not only did Piggy die, but the conch died with him. “The conch exploded and ceased to exist” (Golding 181) The conch ceased to exist, just like civilization, as well as Piggy’s chance to show he could be leader. We see this repeatedly with Piggy throughout the novel, his great ideas keep the group alive, but his stubbornness ends it for himself.
Despite Piggy’s intellect that would have initially represented leadership qualities, his violent death was the result of his non leadership qualities, his lack of charisma, his awkwardness, and simply being too needy all resulted in his demise. He would not make a good leader on the island. His role he played on the island was suited for him. He stayed in the background, and contributed to ideas without being put in the center of everyone. Piggy was the outsider, and that quality may been what kept him alive so long.
