Conch Shell In Lord Of The Flies

In the Lord of the Flies, Golding places young, British, private school boys on an island to fend for themselves. The young boys are stuck on an island after a plane crash, while heading to a safe location and are left alone without any adults to guide them through survival. At first, the boys are enjoying life without parents, but later realize there is no power or order. Jack, the chorister of the school's choir is naturally a leader and ultimately wants the power of the group. Ralph, who found a conch shell is voted leader. Jack’s view of the conch shell changes from having respect for it to breaking the conch for power. In the Lord of the Flies, Golding uses the conch shell to represent authority. In the beginning, Jack respects the conch and follows most of the rules. “He laid the conch with great care in the grass at his feet” (Golding 127). Jack may not want to follow the rules but still respects the conch. Similar to crowns, the conch shell is just another object that represents authority. The conch shell would not be powerful if people did not follow the rules. Its the meaning of the conch shell is what matters to Jack. Comparatively to Jack, the other boys did now follow all the rules but they never questioned them. Jack did go off hunting with others, while the chief announced they should

Jack mentions to Ralph that using the conch on Jack’s “side” of the island cannot represent who can speak. Jack believes the conch is getting in his way of having all the power. “ ‘See? See? That's what you’ll get!’ I meant that! There isn't a tribe for you anymore! The conch is gone-” He ran forward, stooping. “I’m chief” (Golding 181). At the instant the conch shatters all authority is lost. The conch not only symbolized rules and authority but it separates the boys by if they want to follow the rules either under Ralph's authority or