Submitted by: Submitted by mcd321
Views: 10
Words: 600
Pages: 3
Category: Literature
Date Submitted: 01/12/2016 08:19 PM
Morgan Dean
9/23/13
7th Period
LOTF Symbol Timed Writing
From the first chapter of the book Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the conch shell has had a huge role in the boys’ civilization. The conch calls the boys together, but also tears them apart. This random shell picked by Ralph becomes a part of the storyline in both positive and negative ways. The conch shell is used throughout the book, parallels the boys’ actions, and represents their civilization.
After Ralph meets Piggy in chapter one, he finds the conch shell. Piggy informs Ralph what type of shell it is and suggests that he try to blow into it and make a sound. Ralph tries this, and it works! Many boys from all around the island start following the sound of the conch and find Ralph and Piggy. They have a meeting, vote Ralph as chief, and use the conch shell to bring law and order to their civilization. When a boy wanted to talk, they would have to hold the shell. The person with the conch shell had authority over anyone else and was respected (at least for those few moments). Golding wrote “-a conch; ever so expensive. I bet if you wanted to buy one, you’d have to pay pounds and pounds and pounds…” (14). This quote shows that the shell was of value and could be used as a symbol. The conch shell brought Ralph the hope that he could lead this civilization of boys successfully and orderly until they were rescued.
Later on in Lord of the Flies, Jack and some of the other boys start to rebel against Ralph. They do not respect the conch shell anymore and as a result there is a loss of order during their meetings. Jack and his clan of rebels get into an argument with Ralph and Piggy, resulting in the tragic death of Piggy. Unfortunately, Piggy was holding the conch shell when he fell to his death. The conch had shattered, just like their organized civilization was completely shattered from then on. "But then the fatal unreasoning knowledge came...