Ralph Lord of the Flies quotes with page numbers help you find what you need in context.
The novel, written by William Golding, is about a group of British boys stranded on an uninhabited island who must fend for themselves.
As the boys struggle to survive, they slowly descend into savagery.
Ralph’s quotes are some of the most memorable lines from the novel. Here are 20 Ralph Lord of the Flies quotes with page numbers that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading the novel:
60 Lord of The Flies Quotes With Page Numbers
Ralph Lord of The Flies
Ralph is the protagonist and leader of the group of boys in Lord of the Flies. He is an athletic, charismatic, and confident leader who works to establish order, civilization, and productive leadership in the group.
He demonstrates a strong commitment to civilization and morality and is dedicated to being rescued and returned to the society of adults. He is a strong communicator and strives to unite the boys and maximize their rescue chances.
On the other hand, Ralph cannot understand why the other boys would give in to their base instincts, and his weak response to dissent is a considerable flaw in his leadership.
Ultimately, Ralph is a complex but admirable character who is an integral part of the themes and message of the novel and serves as an example of what a good leader should be.
25 Ralph Lord of the Flies Quotes with page numbers
1. “Sucks to your ass-mar!”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Ralph), Chapter 1, Page 13
The quote “Sucks to your ass-mar!” is found in Chapter 1, Page 13 of William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies. It is an insult said by Ralph, the protagonist, to Piggy, who has asthma, illustrating the lack of respect and empathy in the chaotic, primitive society the boys have created on the island.
The quote encapsulates the boys’ disregard for social norms and the adoption of a lawless, hostile environment.
20 Piggy Quotes From Lord of the Flies
2. “This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the grownups come to fetch us we’ll have fun.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Ralph), Chapter 2, Page 35
In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, Ralph is referring to the island they are on, which is unnamed. He uses the island as a metaphor for their newfound freedom, as they are without adult supervision and can do whatever they want. However, Ralph is still aware of the impending arrival of the grownups and reminds the other boys to enjoy their freedom while it lasts.
3. “If faces were different when lit from above or below — what was a face? What was anything?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies (about Ralph’s thoughts), Chapter 5, Page 78
Ralph’s idea of a face, when lit from above or below, is that it could change significantly. The facial features, expressions, and impressions can be drastically altered; thus, it is difficult to determine the person’s identity.
This suggests that identity and reality are subjective and can be altered depending on our perspective.
4. “We’ve got to talk about this fear and decide there’s nothing in it.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Ralph), Chapter 5, Page 82
Ralph’s quote, “there’s nothing to be afraid of,” is meant to reassure the other boys that fear is an illusion and cannot hurt them and that they can be brave and take control of their emotions rather than being controlled by fear.
He is trying to inspire them to think rationally and logically instead of succumbing to the irrationality of fear.
5. “Ralph shouted. Hear him! He’s got the conch!
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Ralph), Chapter 5, Page 89
The significance of Ralph’s quote is that it symbolizes the power of order and democracy Ralph tries to instill in the boys. With his shout, he is asserting his authority as a leader and reminding the boys that whoever holds the conch shell has the right to be heard.
This symbolizes democratic participation in a civilized society and reminds the boys to obey Ralph’s orders.
6. “The rules!” shouted Ralph. “You’re breaking the rules!” “Who cares?” Ralph summoned his wits. “Because the rules are the only thing we’ve got!”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Ralph), Chapter 5, Page 91
Ralph was outraged by the breaking of the rules and voiced his disapproval loudly. He argued that the rules were the only thing keeping them from descending into chaos and disorder.
He stressed the importance of following regulations for their group to work as a cohesive unit and survive on the island.
7. “If I blow the conch and they don’t come back; then we’ve had it. We shan’t keep the fire going. We’ll be like animals. We’ll never be rescued.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Characters: Ralph and Piggy), Chapter 5, Page 92
Blowing the conch in Lord of the Flies is a call for order and a way to summon the other boys. It is a symbol of democracy, as it gives the person holding it a voice to be heard by all.
Blowing the conch is also a way to maintain structure and organization, which will be needed if they are to be rescued from the island. Ralph fears all hope is lost if he blows the conch and they don’t come.
8. “The trouble is: Are there ghosts, Piggy? Or beasts?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Ralph), Chapter 5, Page 92
The quote “Are there ghosts, Piggy? Or beasts?” reflects Ralph’s uncertainty about whether supernatural forces haunt their island or if a dangerous beast is lurking in the shadows.
By asking this question, Ralph acknowledges the fear spreading among the boys and recognizes the danger of the unknown.
The quote serves as a reminder that fear of the unknown can create a dangerous environment as the boys become increasingly fearful of what may be lurking in the darkness.
9. “Me? Why me?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Ralph), Chapter 5, Page 93
Ralph responded with confusion and disbelief, asking, “Me? Why me?” He did not understand why he was chosen to lead when he was no longer the chief and why his guidance was needed in a situation that had gone beyond the boundaries of common sense and rationality.
10. “Ralph… would treat the day’s decisions as though he were playing chess. The only trouble was that he would never be a very good chess player.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (The narrator: about Ralph), Chapter 7, Page 117
Ralph treats the day’s decisions like playing chess, trying to make the best move to achieve the ideal outcome.
However, he lacks the necessary strategy and foresight to be a good chess player, often leading to hasty decisions with undesirable results.
For example, when Jack starts challenging Ralph’s authority and creating a cult of savages, Ralph cannot effectively respond due to his lack of strategic thinking.
11. “The greatest ideas are the simplest. Now there was something to be done they worked with passion”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Ralph), Chapter 8, Page 129
Ralph in Lord of the Flies emphasizes the importance of simplicity, stating that the greatest ideas are often the simplest.
He encourages working passionately when a task needs to be accomplished, suggesting focusing on what must be done and avoiding overcomplicating solutions.
This emphasizes the power of simple solutions and the importance of understanding what is essential and stripping away all that is unnecessary to address the issue more effectively.
12. “But nobody else understands about the fire. If someone threw you a rope when you were drowning. If a doctor said take this because if you don’t take you’ll die – you would, wouldn’t you?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Ralph), Chapter 8, Page 139
The quote by Ralph in Lord of the Flies emphasizes the importance of fire to the boys’ survival on the island. Fire symbolizes hope and civilization, and the quote suggests that the boys must try to hold on to these things to stay alive.
It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of neglecting the group’s needs and how quickly order can break down when one is selfish and seeks only their gain.
13. “Jack?” “Jack.” A taboo was evolving round that word too. Ralph nodded solemnly. “Yes,” he said, “I suppose it must be.”
~Golding William, Lord of the Flies, (CharactersL Ralph and Piggy), Chapter 8, Pages 139, 140
Ralph’s use of the word “Jack” in The Lord of the Flies symbolizes the power struggle between him and Jack and the growing tension between Ralph’s civilized group and Jack’s savagery. The word has become taboo in the group, owing to Jack’s increasing control and influence over the other boys.
By using this word, Ralph confronts Jack’s power and authority and tries to control the rest of the group.
14. “Are we savages or what?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Ralph), Chapter 11, Page 170
Ralph’s quote reflects the novel’s central theme of human nature and the potential for good and evil within individuals. Golding implies that without the restraints of civil society, humans can descend into a state of savagery. The quote reminds us to be mindful of our potential and remain civilized.
15. “Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (The narrator: about Ralph), Chapter 11, Page 202
This quote from Lord of the Flies represents Ralph’s deep sorrow at the loss of innocence and the power of darkness in all humans, symbolized by the death of his friend Piggy.
Piggy’s wisdom and innocence are a source of hope for Ralph, and his death marks the irreversible darkness that has taken over. This quote serves as a reminder of the fragility of innocence and the ever-present potential for darkness to take over.
16. “He knelt among the shadows and felt his isolation bitterly. They were savages it was true; but they were human.”
― William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Pages 185, 186
Ralph’s quote highlights his loneliness and isolation, even though other people surround him. He realizes that despite their savage behavior, they are still human and capable of feeling emotions, which makes his sense of loneliness even harder to bear.
The quote implies that understanding and compassion are powerful forces in the face of savagery and chaos.
17. “Maybe, he said hesitantly, maybe there is a beast. The assembly cried out savagely and Ralph stood up in amazement. You, Simon? You believe in this?
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Simon and Ralph, Chapter 5, Page 89
Ralph’s quote from Lord of the Flies reflects the uncertainty of the boys’ situation on the island. By saying that perhaps there is a beast, Simon suggests that the boys’ fear might be real, and Ralph is taken aback.
He wonders if Simon, who has been so calm and rational until then, has been infected by the irrational fear of the other boys. The quote shows the power of fear and how it can make people believe in unexplainable things.
18. “He knelt among the shadows and felt his isolation bitterly. They were savages it was true; but they were human and the ambushing fears of the deep night were coming on. Ralph moaned faintly. Tired though he was, he could not relax and fall into a well of sleep for fear of the tribe… Lying there in the darkness, he knew he was an outcast. “‘Cos I had some sense.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, about Ralph, Chapter 11, Pages 185, 186
This quote expresses Ralph’s isolation and alienation from the other boys, who have become increasingly savage and uncivilized. He recognizes that, while they have become barbaric, they are still human and must still grapple with the primal fears of the night.
Even though he is exhausted, he can’t let himself rest for fear of the tribal mentality of the group. He feels like an outcast because he is the only one with a sense of morality and decency.
19. “Jack’s in charge of the choir. They can be—what do you want them to be?” “Hunters.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, about Ralph, Chapter 1, Page 22
Ralph’s quote from Lord of the Flies reflects Jack’s hunger for power and his desire to control the other boys. He is willing to take the choir, which was meant to be an innocent group of boys singing, and turn them into a group of hunters to further his agenda.
This shows his willingness to use violence and manipulation to gain control, demonstrating the savagery within human nature.
20. “We’ve got to have special people for looking after the fire. Any day there may be a ship out there… and if we have a signal going they’ll come and take us off. And another thing. We ought to have more rules. Where the conch is, that’s a meeting. The same up here as down there.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 2, Page 42
Ralph recognizes the importance of having an organized system to survive on the island and be rescued, emphasizing the need for a signal fire and rules.
He suggests assigning specific people to be responsible for the fire, indicating that everyone must take responsibility for the group to be successful.
He also suggests that all meetings should occur where the conch is, establishing the conch as a symbol of order and civilization.
21. “Don’t you want to be rescued? All you can talk about is pig, pig, pig!”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 3, Page 54
This quote from Ralph in Chapter Three of Lord of the Flies addresses Jack’s obsession with hunting pigs and his disregard for the importance of being rescued.
Ralph is exasperated with Jack’s single-mindedness and wants him to recognize that the signal fire is the only way to get help and be rescued from the island.
He expresses his frustration with Jack’s lack of understanding of the importance of being rescued and suggests that the group needs to focus on getting help.
22. “Things are breaking up. I don’t understand why. We began well; we were happy.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 5, Page 82
This quote conveys Ralph’s bewilderment at the dissolution of the orderly, communal structure the boys had initially established on the island. He reflects on how they had been happy as a group and wonders why and how things have gone awry so quickly.
The quote also hints at the novel’s underlying themes: the loss of innocence, the power of fear, and the struggle between civilization and savagery.
23. “The fire’s the most important thing. Without the fire we can’t be rescued. I’d like to put on war-paint and be a savage. But we must keep the fire burning. The fire’s the most important thing on the island, because, because—”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 8, Page 132
Ralph’s quote emphasizes the importance of the signal fire in the boys’ attempts to be rescued. He acknowledges that he is tempted to give in to his primal desires and be a savage but knows they must prioritize the signal fire to maintain their rescue chances.
He acknowledges that the signal fire is the only thing that will save them from their predicament.
24. “That was Simon…That was murder.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 10, Page 156
Ralph’s quote highlights the tragedy of Simon’s death, who was mistaken for a ‘beast’ and killed by the boys.
It also serves as a warning to Ralph and the other boys that they have descended into darkness and that civilization, law, and order are the only things keeping them from behaving like barbarians.
The quote reminds readers that humans are capable of great evil and the consequences of unchecked violence and savagery.
25. “I’m frightened. Of us. I want to go home. Oh God, I want to go home.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 10, Page 157
Ralph’s quote conveys his fear of the darkness of the human heart and what it can lead to. He is deeply disturbed by the events on the island and is desperate to escape the savagery he has witnessed, wishing to return to the safety and comfort of home.
This quote reflects the realization by Ralph that humans are capable of great evil and violence.
Lord Of The Flies Summary By Chapter
Ralph quotes lord of the flies chapter 1
“Sucks to your ass-mar!”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 1, Page 13
Ralph quotes lord of the flies chapter 2
“This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the grownups come to fetch us we’ll have fun.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 2, Page 35
Ralph quotes lord of the flies chapter 5
“If faces were different when lit from above or below — what was a face? What was anything?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, about Ralph’s thoughts, Chapter 5, Page 78
“We’ve got to talk about this fear and decide there’s nothing in it.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 5, Page 82
“Ralph shouted. Hear him! He’s got the conch!
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 5, Page 89
“The rules!” shouted Ralph. “You’re breaking the rules!” “Who cares?” Ralph summoned his wits. “Because the rules are the only thing we’ve got!”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 5, Page 91
“If I blow the conch and they don’t come back; then we’ve had it. We shan’t keep the fire going. We’ll be like animals. We’ll never be rescued.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 5, Page 92
“The trouble is: Are there ghosts, Piggy? Or beasts?” “ ’Course there aren’t.” “Why not?” “’Cos things wouldn’t make sense. Houses an’ streets, an’—TV—they wouldn’t work.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 5, Page 92
Jack quotes lord of the flies
“I ought to be chief…because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp.” William Golding, Lord of The Flies, Jack, Chapter 1, Page 22
“His specs – use them as burning glasses! ” William Golding, Lord of The Flies, Jack, Chapter 2, Page 40
“We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English, and the English are best at everything. So we’ve got to do the right things.”
“I thought I might kill.”
15 Jack Lord of The Flies Quotes With Page Numbers
Piggy quotes, lord of the flies
“People don’t help much.” ― William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Page 54
“Which is better — to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is? “Which is better — to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill? Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?” ― William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Page 180
“I dunno, Ralph. We just got to go on, that’s all. That’s what grown-ups would do.” ― William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Page 139
“… what makes things break up like they do?” Piggy rubbed his glasses slowly and thought. When he understood how far Ralph had gone towards accepting him he flushed pinkly with pride. “I dunno, Ralph. I expect it’s him.” “Jack?” “Jack.” A taboo was evolving round that word too. Ralph nodded solemnly. “Yes,” he said, “I suppose it must be.”
Chapter 8, Pages 139, 140
“Didn’t you hear what the pilot said? About the atom bomb? They’re all dead.”
“Acting like a crowd of kids!”
“Give me my specs!”
“If you don’t blow, we’ll soon be animals anyway.”Chapter 5, Page 92
FAQs
What are some important quotes from Ralph in Lord of the Flies?
“The rules!” shouted Ralph. “You’re breaking the rules!” “Who cares?” Ralph summoned his wits. “Because the rules are the only thing we’ve got!”
“We’ve got to talk about this fear and decide there’s nothing in it.”
“If I blow the conch and they don’t come back; then we’ve had it. We shan’t keep the fire going. We’ll be like animals. We’ll never be rescued.”
“Are we savages or what?”
What does Ralph symbolize in Lord of the Flies with quotes?
Ralph symbolizes the high ideals of democracy and cooperation and demonstrates the traits of a competent leader. He also serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting how opportunistic strongmen, group paranoia, and tribalism can overthrow democratic values. Ralph is a reminder of how fragile civilization is and how easily the darkness can destroy it in the human heart.
What is a quote from Ralph in Chapter 2?
“This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the grownups come to fetch us we’ll have fun.” ~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 2, Page 35
What is a quote from Ralph in Chapter 7?
“Ralph… would treat the day’s decisions as though he were playing chess. The only trouble was that he would never be a very good chess player.” ~William Golding, Lord of the Flies about Ralph, Chapter 7, Page 117
What is a quote from Ralph in Chapter 8?
“The greatest ideas are the simplest. Now there was something to be done they worked with passion.” ~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Chapter 8, Page 129
Why does Ralph cry at the end?
Ralph cries at the novel’s end because he realizes that his childhood innocence is lost forever and he has been exposed to the darkness of human nature. He also mourns the loss of his true and wise friend, Piggy, who the hunters killed. Symbolically, Ralph’s tears represent the fragility of civilization and the uncontrollable savagery of humans without the restraints of society.
Conclusion
Ralph’s quotes from Lord of the Flies offer a look into the mind of a boy struggling to survive on a deserted island. They also provide insights into human nature and the darkness within us all.