Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colours used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. William Golding's Lord of the Flies is filled with numerous symbols. The author uses a variety of these to assist the reader in relating aspects of the narrative to places or ideas in modern day society, as well as infusing the story with greater depth and meaning. Throughout the novel, Golding effectively implements various related symbols and in this essay I will be discovering the importance of these symbols and depict the meaning behind them.
A main symbol that can be recognised throughout the novel is that of the conch. At the start of the novel Ralph and Piggy discover the conch shell on the beach and use it to summon the boys together after the crash separates them. Used in this capacity, the conch shell becomes a powerful symbol of civilization and order. The shell effectively governs the boys’ meetings, for the boy who holds the shell holds the right to speak. In this regard, the shell is more than a symbol—it is an actual vessel of political legitimacy and democratic power. “We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything.” It represents the democratic society that the children have come from. As the island civilization erodes and the boys descend into savagery, the conch shell loses its power and influence among them. Ralph clutches the shell desperately when he talks about his role in murdering Simon. This is because he realizes normality and security have been lost and he feels terrible guilt about what had happened. 'We was on the outside. We never done nothing, we never seen nothing.' In this way he differs from Jack who no longer refers to the conch and feels no remorse. This attitude further represented by the other boys, later in the novel where they ignore Ralph and throw stones at him when he attempts to blow the conch in Jack’s camp. The boulder that Roger rolls onto... [continues]
A main symbol that can be recognised throughout the novel is that of the conch. At the start of the novel Ralph and Piggy discover the conch shell on the beach and use it to summon the boys together after the crash separates them. Used in this capacity, the conch shell becomes a powerful symbol of civilization and order. The shell effectively governs the boys’ meetings, for the boy who holds the shell holds the right to speak. In this regard, the shell is more than a symbol—it is an actual vessel of political legitimacy and democratic power. “We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything.” It represents the democratic society that the children have come from. As the island civilization erodes and the boys descend into savagery, the conch shell loses its power and influence among them. Ralph clutches the shell desperately when he talks about his role in murdering Simon. This is because he realizes normality and security have been lost and he feels terrible guilt about what had happened. 'We was on the outside. We never done nothing, we never seen nothing.' In this way he differs from Jack who no longer refers to the conch and feels no remorse. This attitude further represented by the other boys, later in the novel where they ignore Ralph and throw stones at him when he attempts to blow the conch in Jack’s camp. The boulder that Roger rolls onto... [continues]
Cite This Essay
- APA
-
(2008, 09). What Is the Importance of Symbols in the Novel, Such as the Conch, the Pig’s Head and the Mask?. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 09, 2008, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Importance-Symbols-Novel-Such-Conch-Pig-s-165904.html
- MLA
-
"What Is the Importance of Symbols in the Novel, Such as the Conch, the Pig’s Head and the Mask?" StudyMode.com. 09 2008. 09 2008 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Importance-Symbols-Novel-Such-Conch-Pig-s-165904.html>.
- CHICAGO
-
"What Is the Importance of Symbols in the Novel, Such as the Conch, the Pig’s Head and the Mask?." StudyMode.com. 09, 2008. Accessed 09, 2008. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Importance-Symbols-Novel-Such-Conch-Pig-s-165904.html.
