The Conch

In the novel, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the conch shell symbolizes leadership and civilization. Throughout the novel the boys have used the conch to gather everyone together for meetings. If you hold the conch, then you have the right to speak. When Ralph first finds the shell he  says, “That’s what the shell is called. I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he is speaking”(33). This quote demonstrates civilization as the boys take turns speaking with the conch.  The boys  begin to learn organization traits that help them come together as a unit.The conch also represents leadership; when Ralph blows the conch all of the boys gather for a meeting around him. When they first find the conch Piggy says ” We can use this to call the others . Have a meeting. They  will come when they hear us”(16). Ever Since he first time the found the conch it has been a symbol for leadership and civilization because when he blew the conch, the boys went to Ralph.

Towards the end of the book the conch was destroyed; therefore, the boys had no object for civilization and leadership. At this point  of the book the boys began to have chaos because there was no symbol of leadership.