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Conch Symbolism In Lord Of The Flies

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The Lord of the Flies Essay Humans, by nature, are unique and hold many qualities. Whether those qualities are for the good of others, or for their own desires, all humans have a base instinct to survive. William Golding’s novel “The Lord of the Flies” strikes at human nature on a deeper level. It tackles the thought of civilization turning savage and the novel lays bare some of the worst, and some of the good, qualities that every being possesses. A talent the Golding shows in “The Lord of the Flies” is his knowledge and ability to use symbolism. Some of the most important symbols in the novel are represented by simple objects such as the Conch, the Sow, a Fire, and a Beast. The conch shell found by the protagonists, Ralph and Piggy, becomes a major symbol throughout the novel. The conch is used to call meetings, and to gain the attention of the all the characters. From the very beginning, the shell was seen as a means to hold authority over the others. Although when the novel drew near its end, the shell lost that idea of authority and order because the authority changed over to the antagonist, Jack, as he slowly dissolved the order that …show more content…

At first, most of the children deny its existence, however the big children, including Ralph and Jack eventually think that this beast truly exists. Although most of the characters are convinced that the beast exists, one little child, named Simon, makes a simple statement that quickly silences the others, “What I mean is...maybe it’s only us.” There is evidence of this, such as when a parachuter had tried to come to help, ended up dying, and the children thinking the parachuter was the beast. However, when little Simon climbed the mountain in daylight to see the ‘beast’, he realized what it was and tries to tell the others. Unfortunately the children projected their fear of the beast onto Simon, and in their fear, took his

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Lord of the Flies In the Lord of the Flies, many symbols were shown upon the book. For example, the conch. The conch withholds power and authority. Power is shown when Piggy states, “We can use this to call the others.

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In William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies, the reader comprehends symbols that go throughout the book. These symbols are key factors which determine the importance of the novel. The symbols are a very important part of the literary content. In order to really follow along and understand the story, the reader must understand these symbols for what they mean as well as how they are used. Some of the symbols include the conch, the island itself, and fire.

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In one of his very complicating and diversed novel Lord of The Flies , William Golding brings out as many ideas and literally devices was used by him . The symbolism of the three main objects is the Conch , the fire and Piggy’s glasses. By each of this symbols , William Golding does show how the boys change throughout The Lord of The Flies novel and how they adapt with the life on island . All three of the symbols listed are the the most important elements of and in the story of Lord of The Flies The first example of symbol that was actually used throughout Lord of The Flies book is the Conch.

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In "Lord Of The Flies,"by William Golding, the conch shell is a powerful symbol that represents order, democracy, and civilization on the island. The conch plays a significant role in the novel, and its symbolism evolves as the boys' society as the island changes. "The shell was no longer a thing seen but not to be touched, Ralph too was fighting to get near, to get a handful of that brown, vulnerable flesh. The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering"(104). This quote illustrates the initial power and respect that the boys have for the conch.

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The Conch shell was first found by Simon. The conch shell was first spotted by Piggy and Ralph. They imposed a rule that you can only talk when you have the conch. The conch represented law and order.

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The conch shell also is a major symbol of power and respect in the novel. Novel for student’s state; “The conch becomes a symbol of authority: whoever has the conch has the right to speak” (Novel for Students 176-177). This shows that whoever has the conch has the right to speak and has the power over the boys as well as the person who had it in hand. Golding writes,” I got the conch…” (Golding 43) showing how each boy starting to talk whenever they had the shell.

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