The Loss of Civilization Through Symbolism

The Loss of Civilization Through Symbolism

In his classic novel, Lord of the Flies, William Golding uses many elements of symbolism to help the readers gain a greater understanding of his message. Symbolism can be anything, a person, place, or thing, used to portray something beyond its self. It is used to represent or foreshadow the conclusion of the story. As one reads this novel, he or she will begin to recognize the way basic civilization is slowly stripped away from the boys as conflict between civilization and savagery arises.

The conch shell represents power and authority. Whoever has the shell has the power to talk. The conch shows how people use objects to give power, like a crown. "Conch?" "That's what this shell's called. I'll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he's speaking (pg.33)." This shows that whoever holds the conch during meetings gets to speak At these meetings a sense of order is instilled because the boys have to wait until they hold the conch to speak. The conch becomes a powerful symbol of civilization. "By the time Ralph had finished blowing the conch the platform was crowded." (Golding, 32) Ralph shows his leadership abilities as he recognizes the use of the conch. Ralph begins to take leadership over the boys by setting rules as using the conch to let everyone have a turn to speak.

Another symbol of strength and command is the fire. As long as the fire is well maintained, the boys show their desire to return back home, back to civilization. When the fire burns low or goes out, the boys lose vision of being rescued and start accepting their savage lives on the island. "There was a ship. Out there. You said you'd keep the fire going and you let it out! They might have seen us. We might have gone home." (Golding, 70)

As the novel continues and the boys start to lose their sense of civilization; we learn that objects don’t really give power when people choose not to obey it. Ralph says, "Things are breaking up. I don’t know why. We began well, we were happy." (Golding, 89) When it comes down to it, simple things, like people not thinking, make them capable of destruction.

Ralph was very popular in the beginning of the story, however as the novel proceeds and the society deteriorates, the popular leader is abandoned for a strong-armed dictator, Jack Merridew. Jack was first described with an ugly sense of cruelty that made him naturally unlikable. Without adults as a superior and responsible authority, he began to lose his fear of being punished for improper actions and behaviors. There are always people who, in a group, come out with better qualities as a leader than others. The strongest people, however, become the greater influences, which the others decide to follow. Jack only cares about being powerful he’s not out for the benefit of everyone; he’s only out for the benefit of himself. Symbolically Jack breaks away from good when he baptizes himself with the blood of the slaughtered pig. He discovered the paint allowed him to hide the forbidden