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One aspect of writing that separates good writers from great ones is an author s ability to use concrete objects and have them represent abstract ideas. This is called symbolism, and Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, certainly demonstrates it. Since it is an allegory, it contains numerous symbols throughout the book that stand for intangible ideas, feelings, and conceptual governmental systems. One of the most important objects in the entire work is the conch. Ralph blows in the conch whenever he wants to hold a meeting.
Ralph is also elected chief in large part because of the fact that he is holding the conch when the children decide. The conch symbolizes power. It is decided that whoever holds the conch shall have the podium in a sense. In that, the child whom holds the small shell should be granted the power to speak without interruptions.
The conch, more specifically is a symbol for a democratic power, in that each child is given the opportunity to speak his mind. Holding it gives the owner a sense of self-assurance and reassurance that the crowd is listening. The person who holds the conch is, in a general sense, the most powerful person on the island, in that, he is the only one permitted to talk for that time being. Perhaps the most avid conch preacher and advocate is Piggy. This stout young man is also the most intelligent boy on the island. He is the first to realize how important it is to have everyone s name, and really the only one who seems to care when the small child is missing after the fire.
His glasses, or specs in the book, are a symbol for intelligence. Later in the book, when his specs are stolen is perhaps the first time that he loses his cool, as he becomes savage, and speaks little sense in his plan to recover his specs. The third symbol in the book is the symbol of hope, which is portrayed by the fire and smoke. Ralph s main goal is to be rescued. His plan to be rescued is to light and keep a fire burning, hoping a passing ship will see it, and rescue them.
This fire is the only hope of Ralph and his followers. An allegory is a work containing numerous symbols throughout. Lord of the Flies is certainly an allegory. The conch, specs, and fire are just three of the many symbols represented in the book.
Each symbol stands for a much more complex and abstract idea. These symbols are extremely important in the flow of the story.
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Research essay sample on Lord Of The Flies Holds The Conch Symbol
