“You let the fire go out (Golding 70).” This repeated statement from Ralph in Lord of the Flies shows that not only did the fire serve the practical purpose of helping them get saved, but it represented the hope of all the people on the island. The fire is just one example of symbolism in the book. Many things, including the conch shell and the characters themselves, can be considered symbols. The conch shell is important for the boys on the island, it is used to call everybody together for assemblies and helps them feel slightly civilized despite their circumstances. During the first meeting the boy who blew the conch, Ralph, is elected the leader of the group (22-23), and the conch becomes a symbol of his newfound leadership. They decide
