Lord of the Flies Symbolism Essay
By Ava Royal
Civilization, is the process by which a society or a place reaches an advanced stage of social and cultural development and organization. In 1954 William Golding wrote the famous novel, Lord of the Flies. The book is about a group of young boys who became stranded on an island and have to discover ways to survive. In addition to this, the book has a lot of symbolism in it. The symbol of the conch represents civilization and order, how the boys start to break apart, and finally the turn to complete savagery.
The symbol, the conch represents civilization and leadership at the beginning of the book. The novel argues, “But there was a stillness about Ralph as he sat that marked him out: there was
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In chapter six it says “Conch! Conch! Shouted Jack. We don’t need the conch anymore, We know who ought to say things. What good did Simon do speaking, or Bill, or Walter! It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us.” (101-102) Jack is beginning to turn his back on the idea of the conch and what it represents. He also is questioning and challenges Ralph's leadership. Jack does influence the boys so therefore if they choose to listen to him it could break the unity they built. The book also states “He laid the conch with great care in the grass at his feet. The humiliating tears were running from the corner of each eye. “I’m not going to play any longer. Not with you.” Most of the boys were looking down now, at the grass or their feet. Jack cleared his throat again.”I’m not going to be a part of Ralph’s lot-”(127) This suggests that Jack still cares for the conch because he lies it down thoughtfully. Despite that fact, he refuses to continue listening to Ralph and see him as a leader. Unwilling, Jack leaves causing separation in the group. All in all the conch is beginning to lose its influence over the boys and therefore Ralphs causing the boys to