Hidden Symbols In Lord Of The Flies, By William Golding

In William Golding’s allegory novel, Lord of The Flies, he uses many hidden symbols, such as the conch, the signal fire, and the beast to convey the belief that human nature is evil. With the use of each symbol, Golding demonstrates the effect that they have on the children when freed from adults and the laws of their society. Together, the conch, the signal fire, and the boys masks show that corruption results from the lack of civilized behavior, and destroys the society that they once had.
The conch, a tangible item that symbolizes leadership, unity, authority, and power that exists on the island. In the beginning of the novel, the boys try to establish civilization and a firm government so that they can thrive while living on the island.

The signal fire was a symbol of hope and civilization, and the boys' attempt and desire to return to society and real life. In the early stages of the novel, the signal fire starts out beneficial and becomes an excellent tool that serves on the island, like having a ship to rescue the boys. "If a ship come by the island they might notice us, we must make a fire (Golding 38)." With this excellent resource, comes a great amount of responsibility. Irresponsibility occurs on the island when Ralph has orders Jack and his hunters to take control over the signal fire. Jacks group neglects the fire and choses to go hunting and find food for the others. "There was a ship out there. You said you would keep the fire going and you let it out…, they may have seen us and we might have gone home (Golding 70)!" This is one of the many examples in which the boys had given up on themselves and civilization. As the novel progresses, we see that when the fire burns low, the boys lose all hope and the desire to be rescued, in which they have accepted their savage lives on the island. Ironically, at the end of the novel, a forest fire that was meant to kill Ralph was what got the boys saved. Their savagery was what saved them at the end and showing that a fire burning, so big, that was meant to kill, was what brought them back to