Character Analysis — Supporting Characters

While Ralph and Jack drive the novel's central conflict, the supporting characters — Piggy, Simon, Roger, and the littluns — are essential to Golding's allegorical vision. Each represents a different facet of human nature or society, and understanding them is key to a strong GCSE response.

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Piggy: The Voice of Reason

Overview

Piggy is the most intellectually gifted boy on the island but the least respected. He is overweight, asthmatic, short-sighted, and from a lower social class — all of which make him a target for mockery and bullying.

Piggy's Key Characteristics

Characteristic	Evidence and significance
Intelligent	He suggests using the conch, proposes the sundial, provides rational solutions
Physically vulnerable	Asthmatic, overweight, nearly blind without his glasses
Lower class	His grammar and accent mark him as socially inferior to the other boys
Loyal to civilisation	Clings to the conch, rules, and democratic process until his death
Lacks charisma	Cannot command respect despite his intelligence

Piggy's Symbolic Role