We have just begun reading Lord of the Flies and already we have learned many things about the characters of the novel. Authors use various methods of characterization: direct and indirect to develop their characters. Select either Ralph, Piggy, or Jack and discuss three methods Golding has used to create this character. What do you find most appealing about Golding characterization of this island survivor? Why? (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight Wednesday, October 26, 2011)
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Golding has characterized Piggy in many ways. He uses an indirect descriptive to call Piggy's jacket greasey, enhancing the disgust his appearence is supposed to invoke. Also, Piggy is constantly whining about his asthma and his aunt's instructions. This makes him annoying, but also shows his cautiosness. Finally, Golding directly calls Piggy fat on many occaisions. The thing that I most like about Piggy is his responsibility.
Golding describes Ralph in a multitude of ways. At the beginning, his hair, body, and face are shown to be beautiful and he is described as being a very handsome young boy. He is shown to be rather rude and immature through his calling Piggy "Piggy" constantly, even though Piggy begs him not to. Finally, Ralph is further shown to be immature through his constant standing on his head. This is an extremely childish action and reveals quite a lot about Ralph himself.
Golding indirectly characterizes Jack as a leader when the symbol on his clothing is gold, while all of the other choir boys is silver. He directly characterizes Jack as a snob when he repeatedly tells Piggy, "shut up fatty." Jack is shown as a hypocrite when he states that the rules about the conch shell made earlier only apply in certain situations when it is to his benefit. I find the differences in Jack's expected attitude and his actual attitude most appealing about him. I did not expect a choir boy to be as savage a hunter as Jack is.
Golding characterizes Piggy in a few ways within the first three chapters. Piggy says how his aunt does not let him do certain things showing how he is cautious and listens to adults. Also, Piggy is directly characterized as "fat". Piggy is also shown to be very shy as he cleans his glasses and looks away anytime someone talks about him or down to him. Lastly, Piggy is shown to be smart and observant when he notices the fire in the forest that none of the other kids noticed. The most appealing part of Golding's characterization of Piggy is how this characterization emits the emotion of empathy and sadness for Piggy.
In this novel, Golding characterizes Ralph in numerous ways. Golding describes Ralph as having fair hair and golden skin. This description reveals that Ralph is a handsome young man unlike Piggy. When Ralph tells Piggy his father is the commander of the Navy, he is revealing his boastful and prideful personality. Also, When Golding has Ralph stand on his head for joy, he is illustrating that Ralph is very immature for his age. I like the fact that Golding characterized Ralph as civilized and proper when he first met Piggy because it helped to reveal how Ralph grew up.
In Lord of the Flies, Golding characterizes Ralph in many ways. In the beginning of the novel, Ralph is indirectly described as a "boxer" but his eyes and mouth "proclaimed no devil. This shows how Ralph is fit but could never actually fight someone. Ralph is also directly described as having an "attractive appearance". Finally, Golding tells that Ralph is a "specialist in thought and couldd recognize thought in another". This is the thing I like about Ralph the most because it shows how he is just as smart as Piggy and can think about what other people want.
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