Who Is The Conch In Lord Of The Flies

Over the course of the novel, William Golding incorporates dynamic symbols to illustrate the changes the stranded British-schoolboys-turned-islanders experience during their time away from civilization. For example, the conch shell that Ralph, the main protagonist and elected leader, finds in the beginning epitomizes authority, power, and leadership. This is validated through Golding’s use of dialogue in which Piggy, one of the more intelligent characters, recommends that he and Ralph “use this [particular shell] to call the others. Have a meeting. They’ll come when they hear [it]” (Golding 16). Word choice plays a significant role in the author’s expression of the conch’s symbolic meaning: the use of the phrase “they’ll come when they hear [it]” suggests that by blowing the conch, Ralph will be exercising authority over the rest of the children because they will listen, showing obedience to the conch blower who, in this instance, is Ralph. …show more content…
This hypothesis regarding the conch shell embodying power by enabling the user to organize a gathering is then strengthened by the word “meeting”. Moreover, the words “they’ll come” implies that the conch displays leadership because wherever Ralph goes after he blows it, the other kids will follow dutifully. Although the conch is seen as a symbol of chiefly authority in the beginning, it eventually begins to be disrespected and hence no longer represents jurisdiction; instead, the conch later symbolizes the loss of order and guidelines. Golding depicts this change in meaning by utilizing dialogue with strong language, as shown when Ralph and Jack are arguing and Jack shouts “Conch! Conch!... We don’t need the conch