The Conch
"We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They’ll come when they hear us—." - Piggy
The conch shell is first discovered by Ralph and Piggy. It was half buried in soil and sand at the bottom of the lagoon. The boys pulled it out of the water and let the gunk out. This is symbolic because the boys have just come out of a bad situation, the plane crash and we're in need of some guidance. The shell is white and of pale colors, colors often used to represent goodness. When they pulled the beautiful thing from the dirty sand, it was symbolic of them finding order in the island, the shell being the order, the dark dirt and sand that held it down would be the island. When it was clean, Piggy urged Ralph to blow into it to call everyone to him. Ralph blew into the conch and called everyone to him. Without him doing so, many of the children, especially the younger boys, might not have found Ralph, panicked, and run off. Evidence for the conch being a symbol for order is supported again because the boys use it for the right to speak. If someone has the conch, they can speak, and no one can interrupt. It's presence gives the boys some order and a sense of civilization. This also lets the conch be a symbol of a characters voice. Someone has the right to say something if they have the conch, so the conch represents their ability to speak. This also ties in with the idea that the shell represents democracy. Another symbolic effect the conch had on the book was the shattering of the conch when Piggy was killed. The conch broke into 'a million little pieces' when it fell. In the literary criticism I used, the author says "The destruction of the shell symbolizes the end of Ralph's authority, and the end of order.". I agree. Ralph was the sole symbol of order and civilization after the shell was destroyed. This is when Jack has absolute power. The conch was the only thing preventing him from having complete control over the boys.
“They obeyed the summons of the conch, partly because Ralph blew it, and he was big enough to be a link with the adult world of authority….” - Society vs. Savagery: Symbolism in Golding's Lord of the Flies by Rachel Breneman
“There isn’t a tribe for you anymore. The conch is gone-.” - Pg. 223