"The existence of civilization allows man to remain innocent or ignorant about his true nature. Although man needs civilization, it is important that he also be aware of his more primitive instincts. Only in this way can he reach true maturity.
Golding implies that the loss of innocence has little to do with age but is related to a person's understanding of human nature. It can happen at any age or not at all. Painful though it may be, this loss of innocence by coming to terms with reality is necessary if humanity is to survive."(www.lordoftheflies.com).
This quote explains Ralph in a great way. At first in the novel Ralph is overjoyed to be on a tropical island free from adult restraints. By nature, he is an innocent, mild-tempered boy who accepts leadership when it is thrust on him. He serves as a democratic leader who tries to keep the boys together and uses a conch shell to show his authority. He builds shelters to protect them and a signal fire so they can be rescued. At first, he befriends Piggy .
who gets taunted and teased from the other boys. Later on he learns to rely on Piggy's reasoning.
Ralph has the courage when the occasion demands it, but he really longs for the secure world of adults, especially when order starts breaking down on the island. He dreams about a rescue and insists the fire signal burns at all times so that they can be seen. Ralph knows that the main reason for the disorder on the island is because of jack, who is the representation of evil in the novel. There is a constant conflict between the two boys. Ralph stands for civilized ideas, where as jack the anarchist leads a tribe of savages and often lapses into primitive rituals.
In the midst of the savagery, Ralph holds on to the rationality and hopes that he gets rescued soon. There is only one occasion when Ralph lapses into mild savagery. It occurs when he joins the rest of the savages in the ritual dance at the pig feast, the same feast that Simon was killed.
