Main Characters: Ralph, Jack, Piggy, and Simon
Ralph serves as the democratic leader who represents civilisation and order. He's fair-haired, athletic, and focuses on practical survival needs like building shelters and maintaining the signal fire. Ralph believes in rules and uses the conch shell as a symbol of democratic discussion.
Jack emerges as Ralph's main rival, representing the descent into savagery. This red-haired former choir leader becomes increasingly violent and power-hungry as the story progresses. His famous declaration "I'm not going to play any longer. Not with you" marks a key turning point in the novel.
Piggy represents logic and civilisation but remains vulnerable due to his physical weaknesses. He's short, overweight, has asthma, and wears glasses that become crucial for making fire. Despite being a voice of reason, the other boys often dismiss him, showing how society can reject wisdom.
Simon appears as a Christ-like figure who understands the true nature of evil. He's the only character who realises that "maybe there is a beast... maybe it's only us," recognising that the real monster lies within human nature itself.
Key Point: These four main characters represent different aspects of human society - democracy, dictatorship, intellect, and spiritual insight.