The Use of Symbolism in Goldings Lord of the Flies Essay

The Use of Symbolism in Goldings Lord of the Flies His head opened and stuff came out and turned red. Piggys arms and legs twitched a bit like a pig after it has been killed (217). This is what can happen to someone when all signs of civilization, order and power disappear and have no more meaning to members of a group or society. In the writing of William Goldings Lord of the Flies (1954), the symbol of power and civilization is the conch. Once that is lost, all bets are off. When the novel begins, two boys are talking about what has happened and why they are on this island. While walking on the beach, the main character Ralph then proceeds to find a shell which the two boys call the conch. Blowing on this shell Ralph calls a†¦show more content†¦In the very beginning the conch is used to bring all of the boys in the story together. Ralph blows it and they come. This is the first sign of its power. The boys have been lost and now there is this thing, much like a school bell, calling them to be brought together. It has broug ht order to this strange place in which they are stranded. During these boys escapade, when one wants to speak in front of the assembly, one must have the conch in his hand. Well have to have hands up like at school...Then Ill give him the conch(35). They are setting up rules just as they had learned in their civilization. They are also making the conch the only way one can talk at meetings. All throughout this novel the boys are called to meetings to discuss the rules, the fire, and many other assorted things. One of these things is a beast that comes in the night but does not leave foot prints or any trail at any time. All the boys are very afraid of this beast and what it may do to them if it gets hold of them. As it turns out the beast is in the boys: You knew, didnt you? Im part of you?(172). This is the lord of the flies, also known as the beast, talking to Simon the first boy murdered. The beast is their unwillingness to maintain a civilization; it is their transformation into savages. All the time at all these meetings the boys respect the conch and whoever held the conch was respected, even if he was not liked. Once this symbol ofShow MoreRelated Use of Symbolism in Goldings Lord of the Flies Essay1321 Words   |  6 PagesUse of Symbolism in Goldings Lord of the Flies Lord of the Flies, a suggestive name for the Devil, a devil whose name proposes that he is devoted to decay, destruction, demoralization and panic, exactly what William Golding had in mind when using symbolism in this novel. The Lord of the Flies (1954), is a novel in which interpretating the symbols are a main key to not only understanding, but also enjoying the novel. 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