The Significance Of The Conch

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The Significance Of The Conch

In the novel the 'Lord Of The Flies,' the conch is seen as a beautiful object, a part of the natural world, which, until the boys had landed, was untouched and unspoilt by humans. Right up until, about the last hour on the island, it had represented a symbol of authority, common sense, security and democratic discipline. Its destruction at the end symbolises the wilful destruction of order and rational behaviour.

In Greek mythology, the god of the sea used it to calm or raise the oceans. This shows how powerful the conch is portrayed in fiction. As you read on in the book however, it's plain to see, which boys respect the conch, like Ralph, how some just obey it, like some of the littleuns, and how others, like Jack simply disobey it. It's the latter people who eventually challenge and disregard its authority. As the conch's popularity drops, and its colour is slowly lost, you see how the boys lose their innocence.

The conch's 'epic' journey starts when Piggy bursts into a 'decorous excitement.' (p21). Ralph had spotted a creamy shell in amongst the weeds. This