Final answer:
Ralph is elected as chief in 'Lord of the Flies' because of his charisma, authoritative use of the conch shell, and his appealing physical appearance that projects the image of a leader to the other boys on the island.
Step-by-step explanation:
The boys elect Ralph as chief at the beginning of the novel Lord of the Flies due to a combination of his charismatic appeal and physical appearance. Ralph possesses a conch shell that he uses to gather the boys together, which symbolizes authority and order. His use of this shell to organize the group leaves an impression of leadership. Furthermore, his appearance, described as attractive and confident, also plays a significant role in his election—projecting the image of a leader which the boys are drawn to in their search for stability and structure on the deserted island.