The children find themselves between two extremes: the honor they hold for the conch, and the savagery developed from the hunt.
On the civilized end of the two extremes, the conch is a symbol of a functioning society. Ralph to further organize their meetings decides, “‘[He’ll] give the conch to the next person to speak,’” stating firmly that, “‘[the member] won’t be interrupted’” (P.33). The conch is used to regulate the children and assure that they are not becoming too rambunctious. If the group is unorganized and rowdy, the team as a whole will not be able to complete their tasks, such as maintaining the fire and building their huts. Piggy reminds the group the authority the conch has over them, stating that, “‘I got the conch,’” and stressing to the others of “‘[his] right to speak’” (P.44). Piggy reiterates how important the conch is, or should be, to the group, and that the symbol should be respected in order to ensure their meetings are more
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On the first hunt, the boys failed to slaughter a pig, but still know that, “Next time there would be no mercy.” Then, to assure the group had the idea even clearer, “[Jack] looked around fiercely, daring them to contradict” (P.31). The boys, Jack specifically, have a mutual understanding that sparing the pig was a setback for their ultimate survival. Shortly after hunting, and succeeding, the boys return with a pig shouting “‘Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood’” (P.69). As soon as the boys are exposed to a taste of savagery, they consume the idea and their thoughts become murderous. The boys develop a sense of bloodthirst, which contrasts the more sophisticated mindset needed to keep their group from collapsing. Throughout the journey on the island, the children face two societal opposites: through the conch and hunting, their civilization and lack of one are