In “Lord of the Flies,” the boy who represents order and civilization is Ralph.
Ralph is elected chief after the stranded boys gather on the island, and he tries to organize them around rescue, shelter, and a constantly maintained signal fire. The conch shell becomes a symbol of his authority because whoever holds it is entitled to speak during meetings. Ralph’s leadership is practical and collective: he wants the boys to cooperate even when fear and excitement pull them toward violence.
His chief rival is Jack Merridew, who represents savagery, coercive power, and the desire to hunt. Piggy represents rational thought and helps Ralph develop useful plans, while Simon has a more intuitive and moral understanding of the boys’ behavior. These symbolic roles overlap, but Ralph is the clearest embodiment of order and civilized leadership.
As the boys grow fearful of the imaginary beast, many abandon Ralph’s rules for Jack’s tribe. Ralph’s declining influence shows how fragile social order can become when authority, shared responsibility, and the prospect of rescue are rejected.