Earlier on in the book, the boys start to use the conch shell as a symbol of power and a way to set rules on the island but the conch has yet to become a violent influence in the democracy.Initially, as the boys settle on the island, they vote Ralph as chief because he blew the conch to gather everyone disregarding the true leader Jack, and Piggy who had originally come up with the idea of blowing the conch. The author implies,”But 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.” (Golding 22) In the quotation the author portrays a compelling identity about Ralph by stating that Ralph's most powerful characteristic is the conch that he has blown.
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Furthermore, during a meeting the boys come up with a system to help put order in the group. They decide that each person must have the conch in order to speak. Meanwhile Ralph exclaims, “I'll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he's speaking...and he won't be interrupted.” (Golding 33) Based on the quotation, the boys may only speak if they have the conch in their hands and may not be interrupted. This is a symbol of authority in the democracy because the conch gives each person a right to speak and no one can interrupt. Additionally, the boys have meetings more often and the conch starts to have greater meaning. When the conch is blown all the boys know to gather on the mountain for a meeting. Jack says to Piggy,“‘I bet if I blew the conch this minute, they'd come running. Then we'd be, you know, very solemn...When the meetings over they'd work for five minutes, then wander off or go hunting’”(Golding 51) In the quotation the author portrays a ruling message about the
Furthermore, during a meeting the boys come up with a system to help put order in the group. They decide that each person must have the conch in order to speak. Meanwhile Ralph exclaims, “I'll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he's speaking...and he won't be interrupted.” (Golding 33) Based on the quotation, the boys may only speak if they have the conch in their hands and may not be interrupted. This is a symbol of authority in the democracy because the conch gives each person a right to speak and no one can interrupt. Additionally, the boys have meetings more often and the conch starts to have greater meaning. When the conch is blown all the boys know to gather on the mountain for a meeting. Jack says to Piggy,“‘I bet if I blew the conch this minute, they'd come running. Then we'd be, you know, very solemn...When the meetings over they'd work for five minutes, then wander off or go hunting’”(Golding 51) In the quotation the author portrays a ruling message about the