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,

the conch is used as a symbol of power. “I got the conch…You let me speak!”(43). Piggy as well as the other members of the island society uses the conch as the right to speak within the group.

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

‘Piggy’. Ralph shrieked with laughter. He jumped up. ‘Piggy! Piggy!”(6) William shows that even though stranded on an island, juvenile behavior and insults find him. The main symbolism of Piggy is that he is the only innocent soul of the group. While the others are hunting and playing, Piggy is helping form a plan on the island. “Which is better-to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is?”(212) William further elaborates on Piggy’s kind heartedness and admiration for Ralph. Piggy tries to bring the children that left the group back, while complementing Ralph’s sanity in the group of savages. “Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.”(239) Nerveless, towards the end of the book, Piggy comes to his death and so does the innocence of the island. William shows the reader the despair Ralph feels after being saved. Realizing what has occurred on the island, Ralph feels that Piggy’s death has changed him and taken his innocence. Piggy’s symbolism is important because without Piggy the only thing left on the island would be the savagery. Throughout the book, Piggy brings smarts and his wisdom to the group. In the interpretation, the reader must look at what Piggy stands for and how he influences the other characters. Furthermore, symbols of power and innocence have been shown, but the most important is the symbolism William gives for the demons inside of the children. Therefore the Beast is a symbol for the demons and fear inside the children. "I know there isn't no beast—not with claws and all that, I mean—but I know there isn't no fear, either" (94). Piggy catches on early, but the others don’t listen because Piggy is not respected in the community. William shows that people like Simon and Piggy realize that the Beast isn’t real because they are the smartest. People on the island like Simon and Piggy are innocent and are not yet savages like the rest of the children. “There isn’t anyone to help you. Only 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

reader.