The Conch Shell In The Lord Of Flies By William Golding

Throughout The Lord of Flies, symbolism used frequently allows the reader to form a strong connection between objects and their symbols. William Golding represents simple objects in a complex way by giving them many real world symbolic meanings. The conch shell became one of the most important symbols because it called the boys together and was a prized possession amongst the island. The lord of flies was an important symbol because it led Simon to a grave but crucial discovery about the evil present on the island(Golding,137). Small but significant symbols such as glasses were utilized frequently amongst the group, to ensure their survival. Not only were these items used for survival, but they prove to be dominant symbols. The conch is one

Jack, killing a pig for survival, led him to create the lord of flies; after dispatching the pig, Jack and his hunters impaled its head upon a sharpened stake skewered into the ground(Golding,136). The hunters then departed from the head, leaving it as an offering to the ominous beast that supposedly stalks the island. After the brutal killing of the pig, Jack showed signs of being slightly savage and starting to stray from normal civilization. This was an immense turning point for Jack, who later became a feared savage. The pigs head showed savagery amongst the group, but also reinforced what Simon came to understand. While engaging in a conversation with the head, Simon discovered that the real evil on the island is disguised amongst themselves(Golding, 138). Simon's knowledgeable hypothesis was accurate, with the evil later taking his

Piggy's glasses, small and simple, represent their main needs and their survival. The lenses magnification allows them to pinpoint the sunlight precisely, granting them an effective fire starter. A fire was kept alive at all times that illuminated the island, in hopes of drawing attention to get rescued. The deceased parachutist symbolizes their situation on the island compared to the real world conflicts occurring away from the island. The boat shaped island represents a microcosm of real world events. Overtime, groups of boys stray apart, their disagreements being strikingly similar to the war. This creates an intense situation similar to the Cold War; Jack and his group of hunters took over castle rock, while Ralph and his small group remained on the beach. Jack's demeanor becomes fully savage and will not allow anyone near his cave, and tensions remain high between the groups until the