Piggy

Piggy is the third main character in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. He is an intelligent, overweight boy who has asthma and wears thick glasses (p. 1). The way he speaks suggests that he might come from a lower social class than the other boys: “ ‘I’m sorry I been such a time. Them fruit -’ ” (p. 5).

Piggy is an outsider and a victim

Because of his appearance and his lower-class status, Piggy seems like an outsider from the beginning, and the other boys treat him as such. We never find out Piggy’s real name, and the other boys thoughtlessly use this cruel nickname. The other boys are often united by laughing at him: “A storm of laughter arose and even the tiniest child joined in. For the moment the boys were a closed circuit of sympathy with Piggy on the outside.” (pp. 17-18)

In particular, he becomes the victim of Jack’s hatred, who initially attacks Piggy instead of openly challenging Ralph: “He took a step, and able at last to hit someone, stuck his fist into Piggy’s stomach.” (p. 75)

He is intelligent

Piggy understands the motivations of the others, including Jack: “ ‘He hates you too, Ralph- […] I know about people. I know about me. And him. He can’t h...