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Corruption In Lord Of The Flies Essay

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The novel “The Lord of the Flies” by William Golding illustrates how the disruption of civility and power can affect even the most innocent. In this case, it focuses on a group of young boys and drives them mentally to turn against each other. This novel compels readers to understand how the corruption of power allows us to confront the deprivation of civility that takes over and drives individuals to take drastic action for survival. Ultimately, the book calls on us to confront our human nature and the importance of maintaining civility and cooperation when faced with challenges. As the boys confront the reality of their isolation, it is clear that a deep conflict begins to mount and tensions begin to rise. One way conflict is abruptly settled …show more content…

This not only represents the determination to uphold rules in a corrupt society, but it also serves as a reminder of the civilized world they have been so strongly torn from. Ralph clings to the conch as a symbol of unity and structure, hoping it will preserve the once underappreciated civility they once visibly maintained. Even in desperate moments, Ralph has issues exemplifying the role of a leader. Ralph continues to wield the conch as a beacon of shared leadership. Ralph's ill-fated struggle deeply reflects the difficult balance between reason and civility. Ralph even goes as far as saying “I'm chief” (Goulding 150). This is a clear example of the rising tension between leadership roles and the clear innate desire for the power to be desired. Ralph's constant assertion of his title as chief is a clear reminder of the ongoing battle for control that continues to unfold within this weak society. Ever since Ralph and Piggy came across the conch in the lagoon, it's been a constant message that has entranced them. Its strong ability to summon the group's minds transforms it from merely a shell to a symbol of

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Ralph represents order within society. He decides to use the conch as an object to hold meetings and attempt to maintain order. Ralph is athletic and organized. He makes most of the calls in terms of what to do next. Although Piggy is intelligent, Ralph’s looks surpass his intelligence when the group of boys voted for a leader.

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Ralph states about the conch, “‘I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking’” (Golding 33). In the beginning of the book, the conch symbolizes government and power. Ralph states that the conch will give the right of a person to talk which shows how the conch is keeping order around for the boys like a government.

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Ever so often we are faced with the horrendous acts humankind is capable of. The Lord of the Flies written by William Golding is a fictional book about a group of british school boys who get stranded on an island which showcases the savagery we are all capable of. They lose their civility and become savages, and as a result some die such as Simon, Piggy and the boy with the birthmark. Until they are saved at last by a naval officer. All in all Ralph’s poor leadership and Jack’s unrestrained brutality were the ultimate reason for the islands demise.

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The conch represents democracy, respect, order, and power in the novel. Ralph and Piggy find the conch in the chapter one and Piggy said to use the conch to “call the others and have meetings”. Whenever the boys have a meeting around the campfire, the person holding the conch is the only one allowed to speak. This is shown in chapter one again when Ralph used the conch to control the crowd and it said “They obeyed the summons of the conch, partly because Ralph blew it, and he was big enough to be a link with the adult world of authority.” That created a mutual respect for everyone's ideas.

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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

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The annihilation of the conch signifies the final loss of democracy, and the beginning of savage dominance. Jack and his allies of ferocious hunters kill Piggy, and the symbol of democracy is lost. Ralph is now deserted by others who previously believed in democracy. It is now Ralph verse the savages and as he is being chased by Jack and his ferocious hunters, he runs into the Lord of the Flies, “Fiercely he hit the filthy thing in front of him that bobbed like a toy… He wrenched the quivering stick from the crack and held it as a spear between him and the white pieces” (215).

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The conch shell is first found by Piggy and Ralph who use it to call for survivors. The shell is then established as a symbol of democracy, as found in this quote, “... I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking,” (33). Allowing each boy to speak when in possession of the conch shows that, although Ralph is chief, all boys can have a say in the rulings of the island. This democratic system is a beginning representation of our world in which everyone knows their place and there is overall peace.

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Ralph never acknowledges that Piggy was the first to point out the conch shell and explained to Ralph what it was. Ralph, instead of giving credit to Piggy for the idea of the conch shell, blows through the conch and then takes charge. Ralph begins giving orders and proceeds to take on the role of chief. Ralph’s authority was made possible because “there was a stillness about Ralph as he sat that marked him out: there was his size, and attractive appearance; and most obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the conch.” (22).

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