Ralph is a charismatic, fair-haired boy who is elected the leader of the group shortly after they crash-land on the island. He represents order and civilization, focusing his efforts on building shelters and maintaining a signal fire to ensure their rescue. At the start, he is optimistic but quickly learns the burdens of leadership.

An intelligent but physically vulnerable boy with asthma and poor eyesight, Piggy serves as Ralph's advisor and the voice of reason. He is deeply attached to the rules of the adult world but is frequently mocked and marginalized by the others due to his weight and social awkwardness.

Jack is the red-headed, arrogant leader of the choir boys, whom he transforms into the island's band of hunters. He harbors a strong desire for power and is obsessed with hunting, representing the primal, savage instincts that begin to emerge in the boys.

A kind, sensitive, and solitary boy who was originally a member of Jack's choir, Simon often wanders off alone to appreciate nature. He is uniquely perceptive and helpful, remaining loyal to Ralph and Piggy without seeking power for himself.

Initially described as a slight, furtive boy who keeps to himself, Roger is a member of the choir who becomes Jack's loyal lieutenant. He exudes a sinister intensity and displays a troubling fascination with violence, though he is initially held back by the taboos of his old life.

Identical twins who are so inseparable that the other boys eventually refer to them as a single entity. They are cheerful, supportive, and fiercely loyal to Ralph, relying entirely on one another and acting in perfect unison.

Initially a figment of the younger boys' collective imagination known as the "beastie," this entity represents the primal fear and evil potential within the boys themselves. It later manifests physically as a severed sow's head mounted on a stick by Jack's hunters.