The Lord of The Flies by William Golding presents conflicts that arise when society is uncivil. Within this novel, there are many items that have a deeper meaning. One of these important objects is the conch, which symbolizes civilization and order. Through the escalating tension surrounding the conch, Golding demonstrates that civilization cannot be kept in order forever because of individual ideas. After the tragic plane crash that stranded a group of British boys on an island, something as simple as a shell is so appealing to two of these boys, Ralph and Piggy, before they even know what role it will play in their lives on the island. Piggy expresses his excitement and recalls his life back home as they discover the shell, “‘S’right.
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This is first shown in the appearance of the conch, “Exposure to the air had bleached the yellow and pink to near-white, and transparency.” (Golding 78) In the short amount of time the conch has been used as a tool to keep order, it is already beginning to lose importance to the boys. They are not taking care of an item that was once treasured and valuable to them. The conch keeps their civilization in order and slowly, the object that binds them together is breaking. Ralph recalls when the conch first came into their lives, before many different ways of thinking from the boys challenges authority later on, “Ralph felt a kind of affectionate reverence for the conch, even though he had fished the thing out of the lagoon himself.” (Golding 78) Ralph is still appreciative of this tool that keeps their civilization in tact, even though it was his own idea. He is holding onto what is left of what he built for the boys to survive, not realizing that it will soon fall. This strong of a connection to the conch shows that Ralph truly wants the boys to be civil on the island. Ralph’s actions show this as well at the end of the passage, “He faced the place of assembly and put the conch to his lips.” (Golding 78) Ralph uses the conch for its purpose of calling a meeting and validates his opinion that everyone should be civil to each …show more content…
Ralph and Jack are officially enemies and a physical fight has begun. Soon, Piggy is involved in the conflict as the conch comes into play, “Piggy held up the conch and the booing sagged a little, then came up again to strength. ‘I got the conch!’” (Golding 179-180) Piggy is one of the few boys left who values the conch and what it has done for them. He is honored that he has been held responsible for the conch. Piggy and the conch have almost reached the end of their important roles in the boys’ lives, so this moment is their last shining moment on the island. Suddenly, a rock comes towards Piggy’s way, “The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.” (Golding 181) Tension, Piggy, and the conch cease to exist as quickly as that. The conch is the last attempt of instilling order on the island and when it breaks, all savagery breaks loose. Jack and his tribe do not agree with what the conch does for the group of boys, so civilization cannot be kept in tact. Their ideas have made such a large impact that they destroy the order that was once present. Jack does not show any emotion towards Piggy’s death and immediately steps forward, “‘See? See? That’s what you’ll get! I meant that! There isn’t a tribe for you any more! The conch is gone—’ He ran forward, stooping. ‘I’m chief!’” (Golding 181) With Jack in charge,
This is first shown in the appearance of the conch, “Exposure to the air had bleached the yellow and pink to near-white, and transparency.” (Golding 78) In the short amount of time the conch has been used as a tool to keep order, it is already beginning to lose importance to the boys. They are not taking care of an item that was once treasured and valuable to them. The conch keeps their civilization in order and slowly, the object that binds them together is breaking. Ralph recalls when the conch first came into their lives, before many different ways of thinking from the boys challenges authority later on, “Ralph felt a kind of affectionate reverence for the conch, even though he had fished the thing out of the lagoon himself.” (Golding 78) Ralph is still appreciative of this tool that keeps their civilization in tact, even though it was his own idea. He is holding onto what is left of what he built for the boys to survive, not realizing that it will soon fall. This strong of a connection to the conch shows that Ralph truly wants the boys to be civil on the island. Ralph’s actions show this as well at the end of the passage, “He faced the place of assembly and put the conch to his lips.” (Golding 78) Ralph uses the conch for its purpose of calling a meeting and validates his opinion that everyone should be civil to each …show more content…
Ralph and Jack are officially enemies and a physical fight has begun. Soon, Piggy is involved in the conflict as the conch comes into play, “Piggy held up the conch and the booing sagged a little, then came up again to strength. ‘I got the conch!’” (Golding 179-180) Piggy is one of the few boys left who values the conch and what it has done for them. He is honored that he has been held responsible for the conch. Piggy and the conch have almost reached the end of their important roles in the boys’ lives, so this moment is their last shining moment on the island. Suddenly, a rock comes towards Piggy’s way, “The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.” (Golding 181) Tension, Piggy, and the conch cease to exist as quickly as that. The conch is the last attempt of instilling order on the island and when it breaks, all savagery breaks loose. Jack and his tribe do not agree with what the conch does for the group of boys, so civilization cannot be kept in tact. Their ideas have made such a large impact that they destroy the order that was once present. Jack does not show any emotion towards Piggy’s death and immediately steps forward, “‘See? See? That’s what you’ll get! I meant that! There isn’t a tribe for you any more! The conch is gone—’ He ran forward, stooping. ‘I’m chief!’” (Golding 181) With Jack in charge,