William Golding's Lord of the Flies

II.A.Discuss the protagonist of Lord of the Flies in terms of flatness or roundness. What purposes are served by his flatness, if any? Discuss any two minor characters in similar terms. For each, justify the degree of flatness or roundness in terms of the character’s contribution to Lord of the Flies.

Ralph, a charismatic twelve year old boy is the protagonist in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. The author describes him as being "fair haired" with "the body and shoulders of a boxer" while still having a "mildness about his mouth and eyes that proclaimed no devil." These facts immediately tell the reader that Ralph represents good in this novel. Because of Ralph’s positive qualities he is chosen leader of a group of boys on an uninhabited island. Ralph knows the difference between right and wrong and is willing to act as the absent adult figure. He knows that the children could not survive without rules so he makes up a list of rules based upon common sense. It is Ralph’s job to lay down rules and organize some type of society on the island. Throughout the novel we see many changes in Ralph’s character since he is always in conflict with Jack Merridew, the novel’s antagonist. These many changes put Ralph into the category of a round character, one who is more human as opposed to a flat character who is one dimensional. Ralph’s contribution to The Lord of the Flies is his representation of law and order or an organized society.

Simon is an introverted boy who cannot speak in front of the assembly. Golding describes him as being "a small skinny boy" with "a pointed chin, bright eyes and a broad forehead." He is also described as being "darkish in color." All the boys think he is "batty." He says and does strange things. However, he is the only boy who learns the truth about the beast. Because of his strangeness he is killed. Simon’s flatness of character is demonstrated by his childhood innocence and goodness in the novel. There was no need for Golding to make Simon’s character round since he helps develop Ralph’s roundness of character.

Roger, another minor character whom Golding describes as "a slight boy whom no one knew" with an "intensity for secrecy" and a "gloomy face which had the unsociable remoteness into something forbidding" is a pure killer. Roger is a sadist who lives to hunt and kill.