Conch Shell In Lord Of The Flies

Throughout William Golding’s novel Lord Of The Flies symbolism is played as a major literary element. While most people focus in the conch shell as the only symbol there are many other significant symbols in the story. This was absolutely intentional as proved by Golding as he was trying to develop a theme of Civilization vs Savagery. His use of symbols helped him to achieve that and as far as anyone can tell the most significant symbols in the story, and the ones in this essay, are the conch shell, Piggy's glasses, and the beast. To begin, Golding leverages the conch shell to help his story. This is one of the leading symbols of civilization in the novel. Time and time again within the story the conch is used to symbolize civilization, as

We see this when the boys start turning savage. At one part of the story Piggy's glasses are slapped off his face saying "Ralph made a step forward and Jack smacked Piggy's head. Piggy's glasses flew off and tinkled on the rocks. Piggy cried out in terror: 'My specs! One side's broken.' - (chapter 4). This symbolizes the beginning of the end for civilization on the island. When one of the lenses breaks Jack gains more power and control over everyone. We also know that civilization is deeply implanted in Piggy himself. For one, he never turns savage and he is also the owner of the glasses. Even they are a big part of him as proven by the quote “ [Piggy] wiped his glasses and adjusted them on his button nose. The frame had made a deep, pink V on the bridge.” (11). This is just another symbol of civilization Goulding implanted into his novel to make it that much better at his ultimate goal, to show civilization turn to savagery due to true human nature.

Finally, Golding helps close his circle of civil to savage with another symbol. And since one can't have civilization without savagery, Golding needed a symbol for savagery. He decided that civilization should manifest itself in the form of a beast. So the beast symbol was formed in the mind of the boys. They are very afraid of it and even mistake it for other things like a dead parachutist. Sam and Eric thought they saw it in the woods saying