How Does Piggy's Character Develop Through "Lord of The Flies"

Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, is a pretty intense novel that digs into the dark corners of human nature. It's about this group of boys who get stuck on an island with no adults around. One kid, Piggy, really stands out. He's not strong physically, but he's super smart. As you read the story, you see Piggy grow a lot, both in how he sees himself and how he deals with the other boys. By checking out Piggy's changes, we get a better grip on what the book is trying to say about people and society's mess-ups.

The Transformation of Piggy

So, at the start of the book, Piggy comes off as pretty vulnerable and kinda left out. I mean, he's overweight, has asthma, and wears glasses — stuff that gets him teased a lot. But Piggy isn't just any kid; he's got brains and represents rational thinking. Even though he's often ignored because he doesn't fit the tough guy mold, his role becomes more crucial as things move along.

We first see Piggy starting to change when he becomes like the voice of reason for the group. When all the boys gather to figure out their plan, it's Piggy who suggests they make a signal fire for rescuers to see them. His practical approach clashes with the others' love for adventure and recklessness. This moment puts a spotlight on his budding leadership skills and his knack for thinking straight when chaos hits.

As things get crazier on the island, Piggy starts standing up for himself more. You see this when he goes head-to-head with Jack, who's all about turning savage. Piggy tells Jack what's what and refuses to follow his wild ways. This showdown shows just how tough Piggy really is inside and how much he believes in keeping things civilized.

Implications of Piggy's Transformation

Piggy's journey in this book gives us loads to think about regarding power dynamics and how easy civilization can crumble. At first, nobody really listens to Piggy because they're all about who's the strongest physically. But when their world starts falling apart, they finally see how valuable his smarts are.

Piggy also highlights some big flaws in our own society. Golding uses him to show how often wise folks get ignored just 'cause they don't fit the usual "leader" profile — kinda like marginalized voices today that have great ideas but don't get heard enough. Piggy fighting to be taken seriously serves as a warning against brushing off those quieter voices.

What's more, Piggy's growth underscores why logic and ethics are crucial for any society to function well. His commitment to order stands in stark contrast to everyone else's slide into savagery. His character is like a reminder that even when stuff gets tough, we gotta stick to rational choices.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, Piggy's development in Lord of the Flies is key to grasping what Golding was getting at with this story. From being a picked-on kid, he grows into someone who stands for reason and morals. His change shows us why intellect and including marginalized folks matter if we're gonna keep society working right.

Piggy's story also warns us about what happens if we ignore logic and let things go wild — there's a lesson there about human nature's pitfalls for sure! So maybe next time you're in a tight spot or making decisions as part of a group (or whatever), think about what old Piggy might do!

References

• Golding, W., Lord of the Flies. Faber & Faber Ltd., 1954.
• Baker-Smith, J., Understanding Lord of the Flies: A Student Casebook to Issues,
  Sources, and Historical Documents. Greenwood Press.
• Kinkead-Weekes M., & Gregor I., William Golding: A Critical Study.
  Faber & Faber Ltd.
• Cox B., The Savage Inside: Examining Civilization's Fragility through
  Golding’s Eyes.
• Taylor E., The Role of Intellectualism in "Lord of the Flies". LitCrit
  Journal Articles Collection.