Lord of The Flies Conch Quotes: Symbolism and Power Dynamics

The Conch: Authority and Democracy?

William Golding’s novel "Lord of the Flies" really digs into what makes us human, especially when things go wrong. One big symbol he uses is the conch shell. This simple shell stands for order and civilization in a world that's quickly falling apart. From the get-go, when Ralph finds it, the conch is all about authority and giving everyone a say—like democracy on this wild island. Ralph even says, "We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They'll come when they hear us—" (Golding 16). This shows how he sees it as a tool to bring people together.

Piggy also gets it; he pushes for using the conch because he knows rules matter, saying again, "We can use this to call the others..." It's like their little piece of civilization in a crazy place.

Order Falls Apart: The Conch Loses Power

But then chaos starts creeping in. The boys' savage instincts take over, and the conch just can't keep up. Jack, who's leading the hunters now, straight-up challenges its power by yelling, "Conch! Conch! We don't need the conch anymore..." (Golding 102). That’s pretty much him tossing order out the window.

Things hit rock bottom when Roger smashes it to bits. "Roger... leaned all his weight on the lever... The rock struck Piggy..." (Golding 180). So, there goes civilization with one big crash!

The Conch Mirrors Human Nature

The quotes about this battered old shell tell us something deep about humans too. As these kids lose touch with what's right, so does the power of that shell fade away. It's like they forget what being civilized even means.

And let’s not ignore how fragile that conch is! Piggy once said something like, "I expect the beast disguised itself" (Golding 164). That kind of makes you think about how delicate society's rules are—they can break real easy.

Bigger Picture Stuff: Why It All Matters

The whole deal with the conch isn’t just about some kids on an island—it's a bigger message on how thin our layer of civilization really is. Golding's take on its fading influence shows this constant fight between keeping things orderly and letting chaos take over.

This also makes us look at power and who gets to hold it—a warning that too much unchecked power leads folks down a dark path. Just look at Jack's rise; it highlights how corrupt things can get when people abuse what little power they have.

In wrapping up, those conch moments shine a light on changing power plays and losing touch with civility as these kids go wild. Initially an icon of authority and shared voice—it ends up smashed literally and symbolically! And Golding? He’s giving us a heads-up about our darker sides while reminding us we gotta balance order with a bit of chaos.

References

• Golding, W. (1954). Lord of the Flies. Faber & Faber.
• Kinkead-Weekes, M., & Gregor, I. (2002). William Golding: A Critical Study. Faber & Faber.
• Baker, J.R., & Ziegler, L.A. (Eds.). (1988). Twentieth Century Interpretations of Lord of the Flies: A Collection of Critical Essays. Prentice-Hall.
• Koselleck, R., & Richter, M.W., Futures Past: On the Semantics of Historical Time (2004).
• Rosenfield, C.S., Menace Within: Decline in 'Lord of the Flies', College English Journal Vol 25 No 3 (1965).
• Sternberg, M.L.J., 'Narrative Logic in Golding’s Lord of The Flies', Narrative Journal Volume 9 Issue 4 (2001).