Conch In Lord Of The Flies Symbolism Essay

William Golding uses symbolism immensely in the novel “Lord of the Flies”. From characters to objects and settings, William structures the text to influence the readers as well as intrigue them. Furthermore, one of the most proximate uses of symbolism in the book is the conch. Found early in the book by Piggy, the conch was quickly used to gather and unite the stranded children on the island. Consequently early on the conch was first used to call meetings and most importantly decide who would govern the group. “He lifted the conch. Seems to me we ought to have a chief to decide things (18). William writes how the main character, Ralph, uses the conch to showcase leadership and urges the other children to make him chief. Later in the book,

William progresses the characters as well as the conch. Farther into the book the conch is no longer a symbol of order, but a symbol for sanity within the children. “Piggy was dead, and the conch smashed to power” (221). With the conch shattered, William shows how the group has lost its sanity and savages are all that is left of the children. Throughout the book the conch is utilized as a symbol for power as well as a symbol for the goodness and order in the children. These uses of symbolism are important to the story because it shows how the group evolves on the island. In the beginning, the conch is just a tool used to call meetings and gives the right to speak. But towards the end, the conch becomes a symbol for unity within the group. When interpreting the novel, the reader can tell that the conch holds importance all the way through the book. In the novel, symbolism of characters is just as prominent as objects. Especially Piggy, a smart, good hearted and unfit boy that finds Ralph early in the book; Piggy befriend Ralph and stays beside him as a companion throughout the book. “They used to call me

And I’m the Beast. . . . Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! . . . You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are the way they are?”(167) Giving the circumstance, William reveals to the reader that the Beast everyone fears are really their own fears. Confirming Piggy’s statements earlier in the book that the Beast isn’t real and they have been manifesting their fears into the Beast. The symbolism of the Beast is important because it sets up the whole novel. The Beast drives the children from their boyish respectfulness to the savagery the author wants the reader to see. Interpreting the Beast, the reader realizes the importance of the Beast to the story. The Beast causes both death and insight to the characters in the book. The symbolism that William Golding uses in the book to depict the journey and the hardship of the children gives the reader a sense of how the troubles tear apart the children, the conch shows leadership and power, Piggy symbolizes the brains and the innocence within the children and the Beast symbolizes the fear everyone has. These uses of symbolism shape the novel as well as the experience for the