Prompt Revision

2009. A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

In the novel Lord of the Flies written by William Golding, a conch shell is used to symbolize civilization and order.   The conch shell is used to the help keep order in the novel and it reveals the characters' views of their society as well as emphasizing the meaning of the constant battle between civilization and savagery.

The conch schell was first discovered by Ralph and Piggy and they blew into to to make a loud noise that could be heard throughout the island.  During tribal meetings whoever held the conch got to speak.  The conch is used to maintain order so the conch is a symbol for civilization  As the play progresses and Jack and his hunters separate themselves from Ralph and Piggy, both Ralph and Piggy are constantly clutching the conch schell because the are trying to hold on to the remains of civilization and order they attempted to create.  When a boulder is thrown and kills piggy, it also crushes the conch.  The destruction of the conch symbolizes all the order being overcome by savagery   Golding uses the symbol to show how Jack and his leaders have destroyed all aspects civilization and order. 

The conch reveals how the characters feel their society on this island should be organized.  Ralph believes strongly in the conch in the beginning of the novel which shows his strong views about how the children on the island need order.  As the novel progresses, Ralph begins to doubt the power of the conch, revealing his doubts that and orderly society will can actually work on the island.  Piggy keeps his faith in the conch until his death, which reveals his constant belief in the need for civilization.  Jack is the first person to doubt the conch's power and he ends up leading the savages who focus on killing instead of order and civilization.  The characters belief or lack of belief in the conch shows whether they favor civilization of savagery.     

The major theme and meaning of this novel involve the struggle between civilization and savagery.   Civilization and order are complicated and fragile just like the structure of a conch.  A conch just like a democracy is carefully constructed over time, but can be destroyed in an instant. The conch shell is used is a barometer of the level of order in the novel. When the conch is widely accepted and respected there is much more order on the island and they boys' society resembles a primitive civilization.  As the conch lost importance so the values the boys grew up with creating a island without any form of order, which almost leads to the their society's destruction.