How are Jem and Ralph Similar and Different?

Ever read two books and found some similarities and differences between characters or themes? Well, To Kill a Mockingbird character Jem and Lord of the Flies character Ralph have some things in common and some differences. To give a little insight into these novels, To Kill a Mockingbird is a story through a young girls eyes who witnesses her father defend an innocent black man accused of raping a white women during this time people were very racist; in Lord of the Flies a group of choir boys crash land on an island all by themselves they at first try to keep civilization in tacked but some boys decided that they wanted to do what they wanted which lead to the death of a few of the boys. What are some similarities and differences between Jem and Ralph?

In To Kill a Mockingbird Jem is the older brother to Scout who is the main character, and son to Atticus Finch who defends Tom Robinson who is accused of raping white women. Jem is about ten to thirteen years of age, tall, and has long brown. As the book continues it follows his development from a little kid to a young man, it shows his changing of his views in which are results of his experience and age. Jem goes from adventurous daredevil kid to a more serious young man. Jem admires and respects Atticus Finch, who it his father. He tries hard to not disappoint his father and cares a lot about his father's opinion. Jem also wants to be a lawyer like his father. When Tom Robinson is found guilty he is shocked and feels guilty because he believes Tom is innocent. Jem struggles to understand the injustice that the court did to Tom Robinson. Later in the book Bob Ewell who is Tom Robinson's former accuser tries to attack Jem and his little sister Scout, Jem suffers a broken arm. Boo Radley the neighbor who doesn't come out of his house saves the kids by killing Bob Ewell and gets justice for Tom Robinson.

In Lord of the Flies, Ralph is one of the older boys in the choir group. Ralph is twelve years of age, who is athletic, intelligent, and rational. Using his common sense and good judgment he tries to lead the boys and try to survive so they can get back to their lives in civilization with adults. The younger boys are drawn to him as a leader thanks to his self-confidence and charisma. Unsuccessfully he tried to keep order and try to be civilized but is meet with savagery, in which the boys are encouraged to behave in a violent way. Jack who also wants to be the leader starts to manipulate the others to join him and make a hunting tribe. Ralph begins to lose his childish ways. He begins to lose hope of being rescued. 'The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He gave himself up to them now for the first time on the island; great, shuddering spasms of grief that seemed to wrench his whole body. His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too. And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, 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.' (Golding 248), this quote shows his innocence that is still left even though he is no longer a little kid.  

Cite this page