(CHAPTER 12) Is Ralph a sympathetic character?

Yes , I would say Ralph is a sympathetic character. Each of the major characters in L.O.F. symbolise some important part of our society. Piggy is knowledge and Jack is unbridled power and dictatorship. Ralph symbolizes good leadership and responsibility. Ralph must grow up quickly. He tries to instil the qualities that separate humans from animals. Unfortunately the boys become worse than animals (animals don't destroy themselves to extinction).Ralph has a sense of right and wrong but this is restricted to the rules and order of society. He is a product of what civilized Britain hoped they would be.