Piggy’s role in the novel and why he’s an outsider

He is always regarded as an outsider despite his common sense, and insight and understanding into people and events What are the reasons he’s rejected by the other boys? Record as many ideas as possible before sharing and swapping ideas to double your original number of points.

Physical Characteristics Positive attributes that aren’t valued How Ralph starts to value him

Physical Accent and class Short and fat Asthmatic Wears glasses Not sporty

Characteristics that make him unpopular Lazy e.g. when called upon for manual work Greedy e.g. can’t resist the temptation of meat Victim e.g. bullied by Jack

What positive attributes does he have that are not always valued? Intelligent – first to realise noone knows they’re on the island; suggests the real ‘fear’ is their fear of people Common sense – tries to make a list, realises they must have order e.g. ‘How can you expect to be rescued if you don’t put first things first and act proper?’ Understands human nature - realises Jack is dangerous and if was leader they’d all die e.g. Jack ‘can’t hurt you, but if you stand out of the way he’d hurt the next thing and that’s me’ Has good practical ideas e.g. suggests use for conch, making sundial, moving the fire from the mountain where the ‘beast’ is (Ch 8), Protector of the conch (standing up for democracy)

How does Ralph start to value Piggy? First, thinks he’s a ‘bore’ Once Ralph’s relationship with Jack is broken, he forms a link with Piggy e.g. ‘link between him and Jack had been snapped and fastened elsewhere’ Ralph realises ‘Piggy could think’ Piggy helps Ralph mature – speaks of ‘new understanding Piggy had given him’ After he’s killed Ralph misses him as he needs him to ‘talk sense’

Conclusion? A good character, like an adult (practical, sensible) but always rejected by others and only at the very end does Ralph realise he’s a ‘true, wise friend’