Conch In Lord Of The Flies: A Character Analysis

Overwhelmed, confused, fearful and more all becomes feelings you experience reading the life changing book Lord of The Flies. Along with an emotional roller coaster you also go down an intellectual book full of symbolism. The novel is based around just a few important objects. These are objects which will prove to defining for the story as it progresses. Some of these objects which will be discussed include the conch, piggy’s glasses, and the parachutist. These few things prove to be the author’s source for drastic change and character development throughout the novel.
Firstly, the conch appears with significance well before anything else. The conch from the beginning signifies law, order and respect. However it can be seen throughout the novel that the conch loses its authority over the group as Jack begins to disrespect it and others follow along. Ralph becomes very fearful when he feels that he cannot regain control with the conch after the split of the two groups. Ralph’s fears can be easily observed when he says “If I blow the conch and they don’t come back; then we’ve had it.” (Golding, 92). This marked a major turning point in the book as the power began to shift from Ralph and the conch to Jack and the savages. Toward the end of

The glasses are viewed important not only for survival but also for rescue. Jack however can only see the specs for their survival aspect. Ralph on the other hand understands they are necessary for a signal fire so they can be rescued. As Jack ruins half the glasses it is symbolizing him beginning to lose sight of what is important. In the novel Ralph says to Jack “The fire’s the most important thing. Without the fire we can’t be rescued.” (Golding, 142). This desperation from Ralph is a last ditch effort to get Jack to see clearly. Jack doesn’t listen out right takes Piggy’s glasses marking the end of him ever having rescue in