Ralph: Civilisation and Order
Ralph represents everything civilised and moral in Golding's dystopian world, but even he isn't immune to corruption. From the start, he's described as "the fair boy" - this isn't just about his appearance, it links to fairness and democracy. The conch shell becomes Ralph's source of power, symbolising order and civilised communication.
What's brilliant about Golding's writing is how he shows Ralph's internal struggle between civilisation and savagery. When Ralph pushes his hair back, it's actually a metaphor for fighting off chaos and maintaining control. Hair represents the wild, primitive side trying to take over.
The most shocking moment comes when Ralph feels "the desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering." Even the most civilised character has violent impulses lurking beneath the surface. This proves Golding's point that savagery isn't just for the "bad" characters - it's in everyone.
Key Point: Ralph's character shows that maintaining civilisation requires constant effort, and even good people can be corrupted when systems break down.
