Piggy- is a twelve-year-old boy who has asthma and is a little obese. In the book, he represents maturity, civilization, science, and an adult figure. Most of the boys have shaggy, long hair by the end of the novel. Piggy is the only character whose hair has not grown. This ties him to civilization and maturity as well. He is whiny, but the smartest of the boys. He gets along the best with Ralph and Simon. He is first described as a voice, and he remains the voice of reason throughout the book. Piggy's specs also symbolize knowledge and scientific hope, once stolen by Jack they become part of the struggle for power and control of the fire. Piggy is a tragic figure, the same age as Ralph and by all accounts considerably smarter yet his physical disabilities separate him from the others. His death signals the final end of the democracy and his 'empty-head' as it splits on the rocks the end of rational thought.