Thesis: In the Lord of the Flies, the conch shell reflects important values which show the conflict of Ralph and Jack throughout the novel. The conch shell represents authority, order and civilization. 1. In the beginning of the novel, Ralph uses the conch shell to call about the other children on the island by blowing on the conch shell. a. “We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They’ll come when they hear us” (Golding, 16) and “Ralph found his breath and blew a series of short blasts. Piggy exclaimed: There’s one! A child had appeared among the palms, about a hundred yards along the beach.” (Golding, 17) i. The conch shell brings people together into a community. ii. The conch shell represents order by all the children of the island coming together from listening to the sound of the shell. iii. Blowing the conch shell signifies the shell’s power to maintain order among the children of the island. 2. The conch shell becomes a tool or device to stop conflict among the people and stabilize authority. a. “We ought to have more rules. Where the conch is, that’s a meeting.” (Golding, 42) i. When Maurice talks at Piggy’s face when Piggy has the authority to talk which escalates into a heated discussion, Ralph comes in to maintain order with the conch shell. ii. The people should follow and respect the conch. iii. The conch shell gives the person holding it authority over everyone and everyone needs to respect what the person says. 3. The conch shell turns into a symbol of authority and power. Whoever in control of conch has authority over the people. a. “I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking. But--. Look--.And he won’t be interrupted. Except by me.” (Golding, 33) i. Ralph establishes himself as a leader
Thesis: In the Lord of the Flies, the conch shell reflects important values which show the conflict of Ralph and Jack throughout the novel. The conch shell represents authority, order and civilization. 1. In the beginning of the novel, Ralph uses the conch shell to call about the other children on the island by blowing on the conch shell. a. “We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They’ll come when they hear us” (Golding, 16) and “Ralph found his breath and blew a series of short blasts. Piggy exclaimed: There’s one! A child had appeared among the palms, about a hundred yards along the beach.” (Golding, 17) i. The conch shell brings people together into a community. ii. The conch shell represents order by all the children of the island coming together from listening to the sound of the shell. iii. Blowing the conch shell signifies the shell’s power to maintain order among the children of the island. 2. The conch shell becomes a tool or device to stop conflict among the people and stabilize authority. a. “We ought to have more rules. Where the conch is, that’s a meeting.” (Golding, 42) i. When Maurice talks at Piggy’s face when Piggy has the authority to talk which escalates into a heated discussion, Ralph comes in to maintain order with the conch shell. ii. The people should follow and respect the conch. iii. The conch shell gives the person holding it authority over everyone and everyone needs to respect what the person says. 3. The conch shell turns into a symbol of authority and power. Whoever in control of conch has authority over the people. a. “I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking. But--. Look--.And he won’t be interrupted. Except by me.” (Golding, 33) i. Ralph establishes himself as a leader