Symbolism is a very important factor in many books. William Golding’s, Lord of the Flies, shows the movement from order to chaos through the use of symbolism. The use of symbolism is ever present and which used in the novel supports Golding's view of human nature. He believes that “human nature corrupts all society and people are inherently evil”. The author also believes that “law and order control evil, but savagery is more powerful than reason”. Golding’s view of human nature is exhibited by three main types of the symbols: the conch, the piggy’s glasses and the fire on the mountaintop which have symbolic value as references to ideas. Through each of these symbols, Golding shows how the boys adapt and change throughout the novel. These symbols also help to show each of the boy's ideals on a variety of elements from human nature to society and its controls. All three of these symbols also change and are one of the most important elements of the story. The first symbol, which is showed all throughout the book, is the symbol of the Conch. The conch was a large shell which piggy had first discovered on the island. The conch shows powers and always commands respect form the boys due to its importance. The first citing which best shows the importance of the conch is when it is used by Ralph and Piggy to summon all the boys together when they find themselves alone on the island. “The Conch, we can use this to call
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the others. Have a meeting they’ll come when they hear us. (page 16).” Then again at the second meeting we see how the boys are treating to the Conch and how it is like a magnet to the boys, which draws them to who ever uses it. “By the time Ralph had finished blowing the conch the platform was crowded (page 32).” The conch also shows the first idea of civilization and rules. One example is when there is chaos because everyone are talking at the same time. “Conch, that's what the shell is called. I'll give the conch to the next person who speaks. He can hold when he is speaking (page 33).” Finally, the conch is used for showing how Piggy does so much to help them and does not get credit for it. It was used that way when Piggy was the first one to see the Conch and Piggy was the one who knew what it was and instructed Ralph on how to use it. But when all the boys came from the Conch's noise, Ralph got credit for it. The Conch is a symbol of the high hand of authority. It is magical to the boys, who for the most part respect it. However, in the end, when it is destroyed, authority on the island is gone and Ralph is left to fend for himself. The next symbol, the glasses, that Piggy wore upon arrival of the island are symbolic of the state of the island in many ways. It is appropriate for Piggy to be the owner of the glasses that are used as a symbol of intelligence because the author creates the character's image as an adultlike figure. The slow deterioration of the glasses foreshadows the events of the plot. When they arrived at the island the glasses were spotless and perfect, no damage at all, similar to how the boys were. They were used to create fire and were needed. However the boy who owned the glasses was highly disrespected. “You’re talking too much Fatty” (Page 18) this also changed with how the story unfolded. Soon after this conflict occurred, Jack and Piggy had a slight mixup, however it would be more accurate to say that Jack beat up Piggy, consequently, this resulted
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in “Piggy’s glasses flew off and tinkled on the rocks” (Page 65) at this time the tribe was still united, however Jack had just made his first mistake of running off to hunt a pig and letting the fire out. Much later in the book the rebel tribe under Jack’s command stole the glasses from Piggy in the night. This was extremely symbolic in many ways as the theft of the glasses also represents the theft of unity take from the boys, then theft of brotherhood which was this event that lead
