What is a hero to you? Someone who flies around in a cape and saves people? As disconcerting as it may seem, everyone in society has the potential to be a hero and impact the lives of others on a daily basis. A hero could be someone who takes responsibility and basically acts like a leader. William Golding's Lord of the Flies shows various examples of heroes. However, it is the central character Ralph who stands out as a leader and hero. The amount of poise, courage and confidence Ralph displays is astonishing. These noble qualities are displayed throughout the novel, allowing the reader to see Ralph's true heroism and leadership. Throughout the novel, Ralph has a strong understanding of himself. He knows that being a boss comes with great responsibilities that he must fulfill as a leader. Ralph does well through thick and thin as he sticks to the goal of being rescued and having a fire constantly burning. Ralph knows that they need the fire to always be lit if they are ever to be saved. In Chapter 2, Jack takes some boys hunting against Ralph's orders to make a signal. Despite Jack's ignorance, Ralph shows no weakness as he says, “A fire! Light a fire!” (Golding 37). As a hero and leader, Ralph must show no weakness to maintain order. By sticking to his fire orders, he shows all the other boys that by doing what Jack did, it won't affect how Ralph runs the island. The composure that Ralph possesses is just one of the many leadership qualities that are displayed in Lord of the Flies. In addition to composure, Ralph displays a great deal of courage, which is a key characteristic of a leader and a hero. An excellent example of Ralph's courage appears when the boys venture out... middle of paper ......or in Lord of the Flies he is responsible for the boys' well-being. To ensure everyone's well-being while on the island, the leader must be able to make good decisions, show courage, and maintain ample confidence despite the uncivilized environment around him. While Ralph was not a perfect leader, as no one is perfect, he is certainly an exceptional leader. He is a rightly respected young man who has never wavered in his pursuit of what is right. As the novel progresses through the beginning, middle, and end, Ralph is found to maintain his qualities as a leader and hero. His composure, courage and confidence never slacken. Because even in the moments when Ralph loses control, he never gives up. If only someone had ever come across such a situation then they would have realized the evil in the heart of man and the great hero Ralph was for withstanding such adversity..