Lord of the Flies: The Conch

Lord of the Flies: The Conch

Quote #3

"He walked between the trailing butts, therefore, the conch held carefully between his two hands." (173)

• This shows that even with Piggy's lack of physical activity, he will protect the conch no matter what, whether going through the most dangerous part of the island, or the safest.
• It also shows that when these elements are at the same place and at the same time, then something must be done in order for the right things to happen.

This was in ch. 11 when Ralph guys were heading to Jack's tribe.

Quote #5

"The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.'' (181)

• This shows that when one thing falls, then the rest that was with it falls as well.
• With Piggy representing intelligence and the conch representing order, this shows that both these elements are now long gone.

Quote #1

"The green light was gentle about them and the conch lay at Ralph's feet, fragile and white." (171)

This was in ch. 11 where Roger rolled over a boulder causing it to fall on Piggy and ended with Piggy dying.

• Since the conch represents order and democracy, it shows that at first it stands strong, but over time it starts to become forgotten and becomes less important and more weaker.
• It also shows that for the good people who hold democracy and order, they will still hold on to these elements in any circumstances, whether it being too strong or too weak.

This was in ch. 11 where Piggy and Ralph guys were discussing on how to get Piggy's specs back.

Quote #2

"He held out the conch to Piggy who flushed, this time with pride." (172)

• This shows that when you have both intelligence and order into one, then you feel invincible.
• With Piggy representing intelligence and the conch representing both order and democracy, it shows that right when these elements reunite, there's an instant feeling where you know that it's the right thing to do, and for the good to take action.

This was in ch. 11 where Ralph guys were just about to leave to go and see Jack.

Quote #4

"He put the conch to his lips and began to blow, savages appeared, painted out of recognition, edging round the ledge toward the neck. They carried spears and disposed themselves to defend the entrance. Ralph went on blowing and ignored Piggy's terrors." (175)

Quote #6

"The breaking of the conch and the deaths of Piggy and Simon lay over the island like a vapor." (184)

• This shows that when Ralph blew the conch, the savages didn't come out because of order, they came out to defend and fight if they needed to because they saw Ralph guys as the enemies.
• It also shows that even though blowing the conch wasn't the best idea, it was the right idea because it was the only way to get everyone's attention and to try and solve the situation that they're in.

• This shows that with the devastating loss of the good, civilization has finally broke its shell into insanity.
• It also shows that having a society that lacks these elements means that there is no way to fix anything and to try to put it back to the way it was before.

Quote #7

This was in ch. 11 where Ralph assembled a meeting towards everyone.

"There was no Piggy to talk sense. There was no solemn assembly for debate nor dignity of the conch." (196)

This was in ch. 12 where Ralph was rethinking the memory of the loss of both Piggy and Simon, and the conch.

• This shows that since Ralph is still chief himself, but has lost both intelligence and order, then he's pretty much useless.
• This also shows that Ralph may have the physical appearance, but he's lacking the brains for him to think, and lacking order to put him in place.

What the Conch represents

This was in ch. 12 where Ralph was trying to escape Jack guys, and couldn't really think properly.

• It is an actual vessel political legitimacy and democratic power.
• Also represents society's rules, politics, and speech.
• It also even stands for both justice and equality because everyone has the right to state his opinion through the conch

Quote #8

"Samneric were savages like the rest; Piggy was dead, and the conch smashed to powder." (186)

• This shows that with the people and things that were on your side, you don't really acknowledge them until their actually gone.
• It also shows that since Samneric, Piggy, and the conch were on Ralph's side and are now gone, Ralph is now all by himself, and has to fight and survive on his own.

This was in ch. 12 when Ralph was in his secret hiding place and listening to the tribe say their line.

By: Bridgette & Amanda