The Conch Shell In William Golding's Lord Of The Flies

The conch shell found in the early chapters represents order and a form of democracy amongst the boys, until things slowly start to unravel. This symbol was the only thing keeping the boys from transitioning from citizenship to savagery. When Jack openly questions Ralph’s authority, Ralph uses the conch as a safeguard and Jack condemns it, stating that the “conch doesn’t count on this side of the island,” (Golding 50). and that if Ralph blew it no one would hear. On top of Simon’s horrid death, the rebellion against the conch shows the transition of when they truly become savages. No one cares about the order or the sound of the conch; they are completely wild.