
Describe Ralph's physical features and also his reaction to being on the island in Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies is a 1954 novel by Nobel Prize–winning British author William Golding. The book focuses on a group of British boys stranded on an uninhabited island and their disastrous attempt to govern themselves.
How would you describe Ralph's physical appearance?
Physical Appearance. In the book, Ralph is described as a boy about twelve years old with fair hair. "You could see now that he might make a boxer, as far as width and heaviness of shoulders went, but there was a mildness about his mouth and eyes that proclaimed no devil.".
What does Ralph look like in the Outsiders?
Ralph is an athletic, typically English 12-year-old boy with fair hair, a slim "golden" body, and broad shoulders. He looks like a natural leader because he is tall, has a "stillness" about him, and is attractive.
How is Ralph described in the book?
In the book, Ralph is described as a boy about twelve years old with fair hair. "You could see now that he might make a boxer, as far as width and heaviness of shoulders went, but there was a mildness about his mouth and eyes that proclaimed no devil.".
What is Ralph's hair color in Lord of the flies?
In the 1963 movie adaptation of Lord of the Flies, Ralph is played by James Aubrey, who was fourteen when at the time and had brown hair. Unlike in the 1990 film, Ralph is initially somewhat disdainful of Piggy- the 1990 version has Ralph immediately stand up for Piggy and reprimand others, including Jack, for mocking him.
Role in The Book
Symbolism
Lord of The Flies Movie: 1963
Lord of The Flies Movie: 1990

How can Ralph be described in Lord of the Flies?
Ralph is one of the oldest boys and is quickly elected as Chief. He is generally fair-minded and decisive. He listens to others but takes control when necessary. Something deep in Ralph spoke for him.
How would you describe Ralph?
Ralph represents leadership, the properly socialized and civilized young man. He is attractive, charismatic, and decently intelligent. He demonstrates obvious common sense.
How does Ralph's appearance change in LOTF?
Ralph is very different from the beginning, with longer hair and darker skin, but he does not purposely augment his uncivilized appearance. Piggy is ultimately the same except his glasses are broken and he's more tan than before.
What is the first description of Ralph in Chapter 1?
' Ralph, a young 12-year-old boy, is poking around the jungle trying to get a sense of his surroundings. He comes across another boy, who is short, overweight, and wears glasses. Ralph tells the boy his name, and the boy says he does not want to be called what his classmates used to call him: Piggy.
Is Ralph round or flat?
To further illustrate, in “Lord of the Flies” the character, Ralph, is a round and dynamic character. Ralph can be classified as this type of character because of the changes he undergoes as the story unfolds.
What is Ralph's real name?
Raffaela WeymanRalph (singer)RalphRalph performing in March 2017Background informationBirth nameRaffaela WeymanBornToronto, Ontario, Canada8 more rows
What is Ralph's opinion of his appearance as the chapter begins?
What is Ralph's opinion of his appearance as the chapter begins? What does his feeling indicate? He thinks he looks sloppy, and it bothers him to realize that he is becoming accustomed to the dirt. The passage confirms his desire to return to a civilized state.
How old is Ralph in LOTF?
The novel's protagonist, the twelve-year-old English boy who is elected leader of the group of boys marooned on the island. Ralph attempts to coordinate the boys' efforts to build a miniature civilization on the island until they can be rescued.
How old is Jack in LOTF?
Lord of the Flies: 1990 Movie He is sixteen, two years older than Ralph, and has blond hair. Like all the other boys in this version of the story, Jack is American and attends an unnamed American military boarding school.
Who is the fat boy in Lord of the Flies?
PiggyPiggy is perhaps the most famous and enduring character from Lord of the Flies; his large stature, spectacles and insistence on rules and order makes him instantly recognisable.
What is Ralph like at the beginning of the novel?
Beginning. In the beginning of the novel, Ralph is characterized as a confident and decisive leader who is seen by the other boys as a source of authority. This quote shows that all of the boys, excluding the choir, saw Ralph as a good and strong leader, worthy to lead the community they were setting up.
Who is missing Lord of the Flies?
At the end of Chapter 2 of Lord of the Flies, Piggy points out that the boy with the birthmark who had told them about the beast is missing. He died in the fire that spread into the forest.
What does Ralph represent?
Ralph stands for civilization and democracy; Piggy represents intellect and rationalism; Jack signifies savagery and dictatorship; Simon is the incarnation of goodness and saintliness.
What makes Ralph a good leader?
In William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, the character of Ralph is a good leader. He displays specific characteristics that define a good leader. By possessing the ability to show initiative, responsibility, courage and determination on the island, transforms him into the remarkable leader he is.
How is Ralph a good leader quotes?
"We'll have to have Hands up like at school." As a leader he is direct and clear. His leadership is based on a democratic system, so he allows all the boys to have a say.
How is Ralph presented as a leader?
There are three main characteristics that mark him out as a felicitous leader: rational, moral and unflinching. First of all, the most important trait that makes Ralph the best leader is his rational mind. I personally think that a leader should be a respectable and organized person.
Who played Ralph in Lord of the Flies?
In the 1963 movie adaptation of Lord of the Flies, Ralph is played by James Aubrey, who was fourteen when at the time and had brown hair. Unlike in the 1990 film, Ralph is initially somewhat disdainful of Piggy- the 1990 version has Ralph immediately stand up for Piggy and reprimand others, including Jack, for mocking him.
What does Ralph symbolize in the book?
Ralph symbolizes democracy and government. He is elected leader of the boys, and tries to maintain the standards of civilized society. However, he is overthrown by Jack, whose unbridled ambition and hunger for power symbolizes the end of order and democracy.
What happened to Ralph in Piggy and Jack?
Ralph witnesses the death of Piggy after going to confront Jack for stealing Piggy's glasses. Now all alone, he is hunted by the hunters as they ignite the island into flames, burning him out. After he is spotted and pursued, Ralph breaks into a dead sprint and stumbles across a naval officer, who rescues them.
What does Jack say to Ralph when he says "If you know what's good for you you'll stop?
Jack's laziness and arrogance soon lead him to ignore the signal fire, letting it go out while he leads some boys on a hunt, and when Ralph reprimands him for it, Jack angrily rejects Ralph's rank and warns him "If you know what's good for you you'll stop trying to run everything !".
What year did Ralph run for his life?
Ralph runs for his life (1963 film).
What does a littlun claim to have seen?
While some boys begin to develop savage personalities, a littlun claims to have seen a Beast. This creates fear among the boys, which allows Jack to access more power. Later, Ralph gets into an argument with Jack, who splits from the tribe.
Who are the two characters in the book "The Island"?
Ralph and Piggy are the first two characters introduced in the book. Ralph at first seems irritated by Piggy, but as the story progresses, Piggy becomes one of Ralph's closest allies. Ralph uses a conch to call the other boys who are on the island, who all gather on the beach.
What chapter does Ralph appear in Lord of the Flies?
The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance. Chapter 1. The fat boy asks the tall boy his name. The tall boy answers, Ralph. But instead of asking the fat boy's name, Ralph wanders off.
What does Ralph symbolize in the book?
Ralph feels the exhilaration of hunting and killing, but he always manages to suppress savage feelings. Ralph symbolizes law, government, and civil society.
What does Ralph say to Piggy?
(full context) Ralph says that without adults, they'll have to take care of themselves. He makes a rule... (full context) Piggy takes the conch and says no one knows they're on the island.
What did Ralph weep for in the middle of the island?
And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.
What does Jack call Piggy?
Jack soon tells Piggy to shut up, and calls him "Fatty.". Ralph gleefully reveals that Piggy's name is "Piggy.". Everyone laughs, humiliating Piggy. (full context) ...leader. Everyone in the choir votes for Jack, but all the other boys vote for Ralph because he blew the conch.
Why does Jack stand and reach for the conch?
Jack stands and reaches for the conch so he can talk. But Ralph refuses to hand it over and Jack sits back down. (full context)
Why does Ralph say they need shelters?
Ralph says they need shelters because many of the boys are scared. Simon observes that it... (full context) Ralph puts the focus of the conversation back on getting rescued. He mentions Jack and the... (full context) Chapter 4. On the beach, a bunch of biguns, including Ralph and Piggy, rest and talk.
What is Ralph's character?
Character Analysis Ralph. Ralph represents leadership, the properly socialized and civilized young man. He is attractive, charismatic, and decently intelligent. He demonstrates obvious common sense. Ralph is the one who conceives the meeting place, the fire, and the huts.
What does Ralph realize when he becomes prey?
Once Ralph becomes prey, he realizes that he is an outcast "Cos I had some sense" — not just common sense but a sense of his identity as a civilized person, a sense of the particular morality that had governed the boys' culture back home.
What does Ralph learn about the officer at the end of the book?
When Ralph encounters the officer on the beach at the end of the book, he is not relieved at being rescued from a certain grisly death but discomforted over "his filthy appearance," an indication that his civility had endured his ordeal. In exchange for his innocence, he has gained an understanding of humankind's natural character, an understanding not heretofore available to him: that evil is universally present in all people and requires a constant resistance by the intellect that was Piggy, by the mysticism and spiritualism that was Simon, and by the hopes and dreams that are his.
What does Ralph think of Simon's death?
Although he becomes worn down by the hardships and fears of primitive life and is gradually infected by the savagery of the other boys, Ralph is the only character who identifies Simon's death as murder and has a realistic, unvarnished view of his participation. He feels both loathing and excitement over the kill he witnessed. Once Ralph becomes prey, he realizes that he is an outcast "Cos I had some sense" — not just common sense but a sense of his identity as a civilized person, a sense of the particular morality that had governed the boys' culture back home.
What does Ralph say when Simon says he doesn't believe in the beast?
Even in this tense moment, politeness is his default. When Simon mumbles that he doesn't believe in the beast, Ralph "answered him politely, as if agreeing about the weather.". British culture is famed for civilized reserve in emotional times. By the standards of the society he's left behind, Ralph is a gentleman.
How does Ralph lose his power?
Over time, Ralph starts to lose his power of organized thought, such as when he struggles to develop an agenda for the meeting but finds himself lost in an inarticulate maze of vague thoughts. Ralph's loss of verbal ability bodes ill for the group because his authority lies in the platform, the symbol of collective governance and problem solving where verbal communication is the primary tool. Ralph's mental workings are subject to the same decay as his clothing; both are frayed by the rigors of the primitive life. Yet in response to the crisis of the lost rescue opportunity, Ralph demonstrates his capacities as a conceptual thinker.
What does Ralph fantasize about?
He fantasizes about bathing and grooming. Ralph's earlier life had been civilized, and he brought to the island innocent expectations and confidence until certain experiences informed his naiveté and destroyed his innocence. ...

Physical Appearance
Character Overview
- Ralph is described as the main protagonist, he is the one who is elected chief at first, soon being forced to run as Simon and Piggy have been killed and everyone else has joined Jack's tribe.
Role in The Book
- Ralph's role is to lead the boys into their escape off the island, using a shell, but he gets ultimately betrayed when his two best friends get killed and everyone else leaves to join Jack's tribe.
Symbolism
- Ralph symbolizes democracy and government. He is elected leader of the boys, and tries to maintain the standards of civilized society. However, he is overthrown by Jack, whose unbridled ambition and hunger for power symbolizes the end of order and democracy.
Lord of The Flies Movie: 1963
- In the 1963 movie adaptation of Lord of the Flies, Ralph is played by James Aubrey, who was fourteen when at the time and had brown hair. Unlike in the 1990 film, Ralph is initially somewhat disdainful of Piggy- the 1990 version has Ralph immediately stand up for Piggy and reprimand others, including Jack, for mocking him. Ralph is noticeably shorter and younger than Jack, wher…
Lord of The Flies Movie: 1990
- In the 1990 adaptation of Lord of the Flies Ralph is played by Balthazar Getty. In this film adaptation, Ralph, like all of the others, is American and attends an unnamed military boarding school. As he holds the rank of cadet lieutenant colonel, Ralph is singled out by the other boys as the best choice for their leader. Ralph himself does not try to get picked, but modestly accepts b…
Trivia
- Ralph is said to be twelve years old and a few months in the book.
- He was named and created after Ralph Rover.
- Ralph is described as having fair (blond) hair in the book, but he has not had blond hair in either of his film appearances.