The Complexities Of A Center Character Essay, Research Paper
Being trapped on a desert island with other boys you never met before would tell a lot about your real character. In Lord of the Flies by William Golding this is the exact situation Piggy is in. Due to Piggy being stuck in so terrible a position the readers are shown his true feelings, traits, attitudes, weaknesses, strengths, and beliefs. Some have been shown more than others have, and some are better than others are. One belief he holds firmly onto is one that everyone should. This belief is that everyone is equal and there for should be treated so.
The small boy held out his hands for the conch and the assembly shouted with laughter; at once he snatched back his hands and started to cry.
Let him have the conch! shouted Piggy. Let him have it!
This example can be found early one in the book after the children on the island have set up a few rules and have stated that he who holds the conch shell holds the right to speak. You can tell by Piggy’s strong reaction that when the little boy wasn t treated equal because of his age Piggy felt it was wrong. Piggy felt that no matter what age or size the kid was if he wanted to speak, he could speak, just like everyone else.
If I say anything, cried Piggy, with bitter realism, you say shut up; but if Jack or Maurice or Simon-
This quote also shows Piggy’s strong beliefs on equality. He was pointing out how unfairly he was being treated and saying that it wasn t fair. In this section he also says, The conch. I got a right to speak. These parts go hand in hand because they are both important parts of his speech and meant a lot to him when he was saying them. In both of these he was saying that no matter how much they dislike him, he is just like the rest of them and should be treated equal then.
No more than Ralph, said Piggy wetly, nor Simon.
This quote is said when Piggy is being refused pig for food, even though everybody else is given some, because he didn t help hunt. Piggy is replying by saying that other people didn t help hunt but got some anyhow. Like before he is comparing the way he is being treated to others to prove how unjust they are being. He does this to show the inequality, and to try and make things equal.
Those were just three examples of many that prove that Piggy believes people are, and should be treated, equal. In every example shown he is trying to get equality when people are being treated equal. Also in everyone one he is obviously angered or deeply caring about the inequality. This shows that Piggy believes that all people are and equal, and should be treated so.