Piggy the Potential Leader

Golding’s Lord of the Flies demonstrates that perhaps a leader is someone who brings everyone together for a good cause. The character Piggy shows leadership skills when he thinks cleverly, encourages others, and handles situations calmly.
Firstly, Piggy thinks cleverly in that he gives suggestions in difficult situations. The first idea he gives is when he gathers everyone on the island. When Ralph discovers the conch, Piggy proposes, “we can use this to call the others” (Golding 16). Even though it is the others who put the ideas into action, without Piggy’s input nothing would have been accomplished. Another piece of advice he gives is, “we can make a sundial” (Golding 64). This is also a helpful recommendation: to be aware of time. Therefore Piggy thinks cleverly about how to make the available resources useful.
Secondly, Piggy encourages Ralph when their little “society of boys” shatter. To get Ralph out of depression piggy says, “I dunno, Ralph. We just have to go on that’s all. That’s what the grownups would do” (Golding 139). This quote portrays two character traits of Piggy – encouraging and rational. He is encouraging because even after Jack and others left, Piggy tells Ralph to forget what happened and still have hope to be rescued. He is also rational because he thinks about what the adults will do if they were in the boys’ position. In short, Piggy encourages Ralph and thinks rationally at the same time.
Finally, Piggy handles situations calmly. When Ralph comments “sucks to your ass-mar!”(Golding 13) on Piggy’s health complications, the narrator explains, “Piggy bore this with a sort of humble patience” (Golding 13). If someone else happens to be in Piggy’s shoes they will not tolerate such an insult. However, Piggy decides to control himself. Jack says “Shut up. Fatty” (Golding 21) and everyone starts to laugh. But instead of saying something back Piggy bows his head and cleans his glasses. In conclusion, Piggy stays calm through out the novel....