Ralph The elected leader of the boys and the main protagonist. He is neither the smartest nor the strongest but has a kind of quiet charisma and good looks. He tries to keep the boys focused on domestic order and the rules of civilization but loses his authority and almost his life to Jack’s seizure of power.
Piggy Subject of the group’s ridicule for his weight, asthma, and general lack of physical prowess or stamina. He provides the brains of the group, as well as the spectacles necessary to start the fire. Loyal to Ralph and all he represents, Piggy’s death leaves Ralph alone, pitted in social isolation against Jack’s tribe.
Jack Merridew The leader of the choir/hunters. Already militant as a choir leader, Jack leads his group of choirboys-turned-hunters in mutiny against Ralph’s leadership by playing on the boys’ baser instincts. Jack favors hunting and its savage reward of meat over the civilized domesticity and hope for rescue that Ralph tries to maintain.
Simon The visionary of the group. Given to fainting spells and spending time alone in the jungle, he is considered odd by the other boys. Only Simon understands the true nature of the beast they fear, and only Simon has the courage to investigate the eerie creature sighted on the mountain. Before he can reveal what he has learned, he is killed in a tribal ritual gone too far.
Roger A sly, secretive boy who displays, early on, a cruelty toward the weak and vulnerable. Once joining Jack’s tribe, he becomes the hangman, causing Piggy’s death, torturing Samneric (Sam and Eric) until they join the tribe, and preparing a stick on which to mount Ralph’s head.
