Introduction
In literature, symbols are not mere decorative elements. They often bear the weight of profound meaning, making the narrative more engaging and thought-provoking. One such example is the use of the conch shell in William Golding’s critically acclaimed novel, ‘Lord of the Flies.’ While the shell initially appears as an innocuous object, its role quickly evolves, ultimately symbolizing the boys’ struggle with authority and civilization amidst their descent into savagery.
Body
From the moment Ralph and Piggy find the conch shell, it assumes a mantle of authority. Piggy, the voice of reason among the boys, recognizes its potential as a tool to gather the children, a semblance of order in the chaotic island. With its authoritative, booming sound, the conch becomes a democratic symbol, a beacon of hope for organized civilization. Everyone who holds the conch is given the right to speak, ensuring their voice is heard.
This symbolism encapsulates the boys’ initial attempts to mimic the structured society they’ve left behind, emphasizing the theme of civilization versus savagery. The conch, in its early symbolism, is a beacon of light, mirroring the civilization they were familiar with. Its rules, much like those of the society, are respected, and a sense of order prevails.
As the novel progresses, the conch’s significance evolves, mirroring the changing dynamics among the boys. As the boundary between civilization and savagery blurs, the respect once accorded to the conch also deteriorates. Jack and his tribe, embodying the novel’s savage aspect, start challenging the conch’s authority, ultimately leading to the shattering of the conch and Piggy’s untimely death.
The conch’s destruction symbolizes the end of civilized order and the complete takeover of savagery. It signifies the disintegration of the last shred of civilized society that the boys held onto. This progressive erosion of the conch’s authority parallels the boys’ descent into chaos, making it an effective symbol of their struggle with authority and civilization.
One can also view the conch as a symbol of power, where power shifts from those who abide by rules (Ralph and Piggy) to those who reject them for their brutal desires (Jack and his followers). The conch’s role as a symbol of democratic power and civilized order only serves to make its eventual destruction more poignant. It is not merely a shell that shatters, but the hope for civilization, and with it, the boys’ innocence.
Conclusion
In ‘Lord of the Flies,’ the conch shell serves as a powerful symbol of authority and civilization. Its transformation from a symbol of hope and order to one of desolation and chaos vividly portrays the boys’ internal struggle and their descent into savagery. By leveraging the symbolism of the conch, Golding successfully explores the themes of power, civilization versus savagery, and the inherent human propensity towards chaos and destruction when stripped of societal norms.
In the end, the conch, like the boys, becomes a victim of the wild, uncontrollable impulses that it initially helped keep at bay. Its ultimate fate reminds us of the fragile nature of civilization and how easily it can crumble under the weight of our more primal instincts. The conch is more than just a symbol; it is a character itself, whose tragic end embodies the novel’s bleak commentary on human nature and society.
References
- Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. Faber and Faber, 1954.
- Biles, Jack. “Symbolism in Lord of the Flies: The Shell and the Glasses.” The Explicator, vol. 67, no. 4, 2009, pp. 244-248.
- Martin, Sara. “An Analysis of Symbolism in Lord of the Flies.” The English Journal, vol. 59, no. 5, 1970, pp. 654-659.
- Edmunds, June. “Symbols, Signs, and Interpretation in Lord of the Flies.” English Teaching: Practice and Critique, vol. 9, no. 1, 2010, pp. 28-40.
- Stein, Murray. “Conchology in Lord of the Flies.” Journal of Modern Literature, vol. 36, no. 3, 2013, pp. 99-114.
