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Symbolism of the conch in Lord of the Flies

William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies" explores human nature through the captivating story of a group of boys whose plane crashed on an island. The symbol of the conch is ever-present throughout the novel, representing, order, authority, and civilization. The conch is the most significant symbol in "Lord of the Flies," as it represents the rise and fall of civilization and order among the boys.


The conch initially symbolizes the boys' attempts to maintain civilization on the island. “We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They'll come when they hear us—" This quote is from Piggy, as they find the conch. Piggy and Ralph use it to call the first meeting, gathering the boys on the island. A meeting is normally when people come together and discuss ideas, conducted in an orderly manner. Piggy and Ralph’s decision to call a meeting with everyone demonstrates an effort to organize and communicate in a civilized manner. They want to involve everyone, showing how they want it to be inclusive. During early meetings, the rule that only the person holding the conch may speak is established. This rule prevents more than one person from speaking at the same time and prevents someone from interrupting or speaking over someone else. This reflects a wish for fair and orderly discourse. These actions show the boys' initial desire to replicate the structured, democratic society they knew, using the conch as a physical representation of these values.


The conch also represents authority and leadership within the group of boys. At the start, the boys vote for a chief. Ralph, instead of Jack, who is the head of the choir, is elected as the chief of the group. "Let him be chief with the trumpet-thing." This quote is from one of the boys during the election. A chief is an important leadership position. The conch, referred to as the "trumpet-thing," is directly associated with leadership. Ralph’s election as leader is closely tied to his possession of the conch, indicating that the shell bestows legitimacy and respect. In early gatherings, the conch's authority is unquestioned, with all boys adhering to the rule of only speaking with the conch.  The fact that the conch can make the boys follow a rule highlights its authority, showing its role as a symbol of established order. During these moments, the conch's authority is recognized and respected, underscoring the boys' initial adherence to societal norms and the desire to remain civilized.


As the novel progresses, the conch gradually loses its significance, mirroring the loss of civilization among the boys. A key moment illustrating the decline in respect for the conch is when Jack openly defies its rules during a meeting. He interrupts and talks over others without holding the conch, disregarding the established order. Ralph shouts at Jack, "you're breaking the rules!", but Jack replies, "Who cares?". This exchange highlights the decline of order and civilization (Ralph) and the boys’ embracement of their savage nature (Jack). This act is a direct challenge to Ralph’s, and the conch’s, authority and the civilized structure they initially tried to maintain. Moreover, during the assembly in which Jack attempts to overthrow Ralph's leadership, Jack completely ignores the fact that Ralph is holding the conch, the symbol of authority and order. Many boys are swayed by Jack's promises of fun and freedom, away from Ralph. Furthermore, when Jack and his tribe attack Ralph’s group, they only took Piggy’s glasses, and not the conch, showing that they view it as less important, which means that they believe that order is no longer important. These instances demonstrate how the conch, once a symbol of civilization and order, loses its influence as the boys gradually abandon the values it represents. The declining respect for the conch mirrors the boys' descent into savagery.


The ultimate shattering of the conch symbolizes the complete breakdown of civilization and descent into savagery. The conch's destruction occurs in the mist of violence and chaos, when Piggy is killed. Following the destruction of the conch, the boys fully embrace their primal and savage instincts, chasing and attacking Ralph. They even set fire to the entire island in an attempt to flush Ralph out. This shows how the boys have become so savage and bloodthirsty that they are willing to burn their own living space just to kill someone else. This indicates a total collapse of the civilized order that the conch once symbolized, as they succumb to their savage nature. The destruction of the conch, therefore, marks the irreversible end of civility on the island, as the fire is irreversible, symbolizing the boys' complete descent into savagery and the fragility of society.


Throughout "Lord of the Flies," the conch serves as a powerful symbol of civilization, authority, and order. Its gradual decline of power and eventual destruction reflects the boys' descent into savagery. The author uses the conch to illustrate the fragile nature of civilization and the other barbaric side of human nature.

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