Conch Symbolism

What happens when people are put into a natural environment? Lord of the Flies shows exactly what happens when people are left in a natural environment for a long period of time. Lord of the Flies uses many types of symbolism to demonstrate the effects of savagery and what happens to people without civilization. People who are left in the wild tend to slowly lose control of themselves and loss any civilized characteristics. Many people in a city or population listen to the law which means they are capable of listening to rules and staying in control of themselves because they have a leader which keeps everyone under control and prevents anyone from having power over another causing an equal democracy. Overall people need rules to stay civilized,

The conch represents rules, order, and equality between the boys. When Piggy said, “So now you speak, Ralph, and tell us what.” Ralph said, “Just an ordinary fire. You’d think we could do that, wouldn’t you? Just a smoke signal so we can be rescued. Are we savages or what?“ (11.19-21) The quote shows how important the conch is to the boys and how it is used to keep everyone from going savage. Ralph and Piggy discovered the conch shell on the beach and have used it to organize and manage the boy 's’ meetings and to get their opinions to the other boys. Without the conch many of the boys would of turned savage early on in the book, but Piggy and Ralph with the conch are able to make the other boys stay in control of themselves and understand the differences between a savage and civilization. A quote that shows how the use the conch to prevent the boys from going to savage is when Piggy, “ Lifted the white, magic shell. “Piggy shouted again. “Which is better to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill?” Again the clamor and again “Zup!” Ralph shouted against the noise. “Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?”(11.200-207). As the boys start to turn savage, the conch however loses its influence among the boys. “ The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.“ (11.209) This quote signifies the destruction of

Jack’s tribe symbolizes savagery itself. Jack’s tribe shows what happens when people lose their civilized nature. A quote which explains how Jack’s tribe symbolizes savagery is when they found Simon crawling out of the woods and said, “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood! Do him in!” … The beast struggled forward, broke the ring and fell over the steep edge of the rock to the sand by the water. At once the crowd surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on to the beast, screamed, struck, bit, tore. There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws. “ (9.89-99). The chant Jack 's tribe say is brutal and not typically thought of a child to say, thus showing how much an effect of not having civilized characteristics can do to a human. Jack’s tribe end up killing Simon which shows how the boys have gone completely savage, simply killing for the thrill and wanting to have the accomplishment of killing a living being. Simon represents people’s kindness and cooperativeness, so for the boys to kill Simon makes Jack’s tribe no longer have a connection towards others or themselves as well. When Jack was making a mask, “He looked in astonishment, no longer at himself but at an awesome stranger. He spilt the water and leapt to his feet, laughing excitedly. Beside the pool his sinewy body held up a mask that drew their eyes and appalled them. He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling.” (4.63-64). This quote explains how far