Ralph's Struggle Against Fear

Lord of the Flies

This flow traces Ralph's changing response to fear as practical anxiety, shame, and survival terror test his leadership.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Fear Named by The Littluns Fear Named by The Littluns from "Lord of the Flies". A Chief Faces Fear Ralph hears the youngest boys describe a beast and tries to reassure them that the island cannot contain one.

Fear Named by The Littluns from "Lord of the Flies". A Chief Faces Fear Ralph hears the youngest boys describe a beast and tries to reassure them that the island cannot contain one.

A Chief Faces Fear Ralph hears the youngest boys describe a beast and tries to reassure them that the island cannot contain one. Confidence as Leadership He expects reason to settle the matter, but fear remains after the assembly. His first response reveals both good intentions and the limits of reassurance.

Fear of Losing Rescue Fear of Losing Rescue from "Lord of the Flies". A Missed Chance Ralph watches the ship disappear and realizes that the hunters' neglect may have cost them rescue.

Fear of Losing Rescue from "Lord of the Flies". A Missed Chance Ralph watches the ship disappear and realizes that the hunters' neglect may have cost them rescue.

A Missed Chance Ralph watches the ship disappear and realizes that the hunters' neglect may have cost them rescue. Anger Against Helplessness His fury at Jack Merridew expresses a deeper fear that the boys cannot sustain the one plan that might save them. Leadership offers no guarantee of control.

Fear of The Parachutist Fear of The Parachutist from "Lord of the Flies". A Shape in The Ashes Ralph climbs toward the apparent beast and sees a humanlike figure sitting motionless on the summit.

Fear of The Parachutist from "Lord of the Flies". A Shape in The Ashes Ralph climbs toward the apparent beast and sees a humanlike figure sitting motionless on the summit.

A Shape in The Ashes Ralph climbs toward the apparent beast and sees a humanlike figure sitting motionless on the summit. Courage Under Doubt He is physically paralyzed by terror until will forces him forward. The sight confirms the boys' fear without revealing what the figure really is.

Fear of His Complicity Fear of His Complicity from "Lord of the Flies". The Word Murder Ralph tells Piggy that the crowd killed Simon, while Piggy insists the storm made it an accident.

Fear of His Complicity from "Lord of the Flies". The Word Murder Ralph tells Piggy that the crowd killed Simon, while Piggy insists the storm made it an accident.

The Word Murder Ralph tells Piggy that the crowd killed Simon, while Piggy insists the storm made it an accident. A Moral Crisis Ralph cannot hide from his presence in the circle, even though he wants to. Fear now concerns not only the beast but what the boys have done together.

Fear on The Run Fear on The Run from "Lord of the Flies". A Boy Hunted Ralph hides from Jack Merridew's tribe as the hunters use fire to drive him toward The beach.

Fear on The Run from "Lord of the Flies". A Boy Hunted Ralph hides from Jack Merridew's tribe as the hunters use fire to drive him toward The beach.

A Boy Hunted Ralph hides from Jack Merridew's tribe as the hunters use fire to drive him toward The beach. Survival and Recognition His fear becomes immediate physical danger, without time for an assembly or careful reasoning. The arrival of the naval officer interrupts the pursuit at its climax.

The first assembly, after the small boy speaks

After the ship passes while the signal fire is out

During the night expedition to The mountain

The morning after Simon's death

Near the ending, during the island-wide hunt