Major Characters and Summary of 'The Lord of the Flies' by William Golding

Major Characters in 'The Lord of the Flies' by William Golding

In "The Lord of the Flies" by William Golding, several major characters drive the narrative and represent different facets of human nature and society:

  1. Ralph: Ralph is one of the central characters and initially assumes a leadership role among the boys. He represents order, rationality, and civilization. Throughout the novel, Ralph tries to maintain the group's focus on rescue and the establishment of rules, but he struggles to assert control as the boys descend into savagery.

  2. Jack Merridew: Jack is Ralph's antagonist and represents the primal instinct for power and dominance. He leads the hunters and quickly devolves into a ruthless dictator, embracing violence and disregarding moral constraints. Jack's character symbolizes the destructive potential of unchecked ambition and savagery.

  3. Piggy: Piggy is Ralph's closest ally and serves as the voice of reason and intellect. He embodies intelligence, rationality, and scientific thinking. Despite his physical frailty and social awkwardness, Piggy's insights often prove invaluable to the group. However, he faces ridicule and marginalization from the other boys, highlighting the human tendency to reject difference and intellectualism.

  4. Simon: Simon is a deeply introspective and spiritual character who possesses a profound understanding of human nature and the island's mysteries. He represents goodness, purity, and innate morality. Simon often retreats into the solitude of the forest, where he contemplates the true nature of the beast and the darkness within himself and others.

  5. Roger: Roger is one of Jack's most loyal followers and embodies cruelty, sadism, and brutality. He revels in causing pain and terrorizes the littluns, demonstrating the depths of human depravity when unrestrained by societal norms. Roger's character exemplifies the capacity for evil that lies dormant within all individuals.

  6. Sam and Eric (Samneric): Sam and Eric are twins who initially align themselves with Ralph but eventually succumb to Jack's influence. They represent the vulnerability of conformity and the pressure to conform to group dynamics, even at the expense of one's values and principles.

Summary of 'The Lord of the Flies' by William Golding 

"The Lord of the Flies" by William Golding is a gripping tale that delves into the dark depths of human nature. The story begins with a group of young boys marooned on a deserted island after a plane crash, where they attempt to establish order and civilization. Led by Ralph, they use a conch shell to maintain democracy and establish rules. However, tensions arise between Ralph and Jack, who craves power and control.

As the boys struggle to survive, the delicate balance between civilization and savagery begins to unravel. Jack becomes increasingly authoritarian, leading a faction of hunters who succumb to their primal instincts. The boys' descent into savagery is symbolized by the emergence of a mythical beast, which represents the darkness within themselves.


Amidst the chaos, a character named Simon emerges as a voice of reason and goodness. However, his attempts to convey the truth about the beast are met with violence and ultimately, his tragic death.


As the boys' society collapses, they become consumed by fear, violence, and madness. The conch shell, once a symbol of order, loses its power, and the boys descend into barbarism.

In the climax of the novel, the conflict between Ralph and Jack escalates into a deadly confrontation. Just as Ralph is about to be killed, a naval officer arrives, rescuing the boys from the island. However, as they are evacuated, the officer fails to comprehend the true nature of the boys' descent into savagery, highlighting the darkness that lurks within all of humanity.


In conclusion, "The Lord of the Flies" is a haunting exploration of the inherent evil within human nature, the conflict between civilization and savagery, and the loss of innocence. Through its vivid characters, gripping plot, and powerful symbolism, the novel offers a profound commentary on the human condition.

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