In the book,Lord Of the Flies,why was Piggy misunderstood most of the story?

Question

I got a question,asked why Piggy's misunderstanding and is very imporant to this novel.(like what would happen if he wasn't there.)

thanks for your help,i'm just using this for general ideas.

Answer 1

Piggy represents reason and maturity and you have to remember that William Golding's story symbolizes things in the real world. Piggy was disliked and misunderstood because on the island, everyone was savage and did not like logic. Just like in the real world, people don't always want to listen to what is right or what is logical. William Golding wanted to show people's dark side by making them not like reason and what is right. To do this, he had to make people not like Piggy, who represented all of this. Am I making sense?

Answer 2

On a very basic level, Piggy influenced Ralph to become chief. If he were not there, Jack most likely would have taken control of the group. Jack was not evil, he just wanted people to listen to him (Roger was the evil one). I think Roger respected Jack's authority until Ralph "took it away" (more correctly, Jack let Ralph have it by not fighting for control right away). If Jack had taken control, the boys probably would have survived fine as Roger would have fallen into line with him, but they definitely would not have been rescued in such a "timely manner."

I think you can make a case that Piggy actually caused the strife on the island by the simple act of convincing Ralph that he should pronounce himself chief.

Answer 3

Specifically, what do you mean by misunderstood? If I remember correctly, throughout the novel Piggy was, in a sense, bullied. His suggestions and requests, for the most part, were ignored probably because of his condition(asthma) or perhaps because of his physical characteristics(being obese made him a target for harassment so he probably didn't have much authority to say anything).

Answer 4

Isnt that a very common stereotype we still see in movies and on tv today? Nobody pays attention to the fat kid? Pax - C.

Answer 5

because he is the most intellectual, the smartest and rational, and the easiest target