In The Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the conch shell symbolizes civilization and unity. The conch shell, throughout the novel, is used to call meetings that unite the boys in a civilized way. The conch is also used as a “talking stick”; the boy who holds it has the right to speak his mind. Piggy says,“‘Hear him, he has the conch’” (89). At the beginning of the book, Ralph blew on the conch and all of the boys gathered around him, ready to hear him speak his mind. This symbolizes the start of civilization on the island and is the first time the boys are united. At first, the boys followed Ralph and the rules of the conch without question, but as savagery began to settle on the boys, the conch was forgotten. When the conch is destroyed by the boys’ own vicious behavior, Jack says to Ralph,”’See? See? That’s what you’ll get! I mean that! There isn't a tribe for you anymore! The conch is gone-’” (181). When the conch is destroyed, the boys lose all forms of civilization. Savagery takes over the island so completely, Jack’s tribe hunts and tries to kill Ralph, one of their own. Through being used as a form of democracy and being a horn to gather the boys, the conch is a symbol of civilization and unity. The loss of civilization is one of the main aspects of Lord of the Flies. As the boys rely more on hunting and killing than on Ralph and the conch, civilization starts to decline. The boys are rescued from the island by a naval officer right when civilization finally dissolves completely.
In The Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the conch shell symbolizes civilization and unity. The conch shell, throughout the novel, is used to call meetings that unite the boys in a civilized way. The conch is also used as a “talking stick”; the boy who holds it has the right to speak his mind. Piggy says,“‘Hear him, he has the conch’” (89). At the beginning of the book, Ralph blew on the conch and all of the boys gathered around him, ready to hear him speak his mind. This symbolizes the start of civilization on the island and is the first time the boys are united. At first, the boys followed Ralph and the rules of the conch without question, but as savagery began to settle on the boys, the conch was forgotten. When the conch is destroyed by the boys’ own vicious behavior, Jack says to Ralph,”’See? See? That’s what you’ll get! I mean that! There isn't a tribe for you anymore! The conch is gone-’” (181). When the conch is destroyed, the boys lose all forms of civilization. Savagery takes over the island so completely, Jack’s tribe hunts and tries to kill Ralph, one of their own. Through being used as a form of democracy and being a horn to gather the boys, the conch is a symbol of civilization and unity. The loss of civilization is one of the main aspects of Lord of the Flies. As the boys rely more on hunting and killing than on Ralph and the conch, civilization starts to decline. The boys are rescued from the island by a naval officer right when civilization finally dissolves completely.
