The Voice of the Conch: Organization, Democracy and Civilization in Lord of the Flies
On a stranded
island filled with littluns, everyone wants to be heard. One method for doing
this is by using a conch; it is
their only version of a megaphone! Through the use of the conch as a symbol in Lord of the Flies, Golding develops the
idea that organization, democracy and civilization are needed for a society to function. In the beginning of the
novel, the conch brought organization and unity to a civilized community. As
the novel progresses, the democracy shown by using the conch becomes less
crucial to the boys' survival, and more irrelevant. As their sense of
civilization vanishes and the horrors of humanity are displayed, the conch is
no longer a useful tool for leadership and organization.
It has been said that, "decency
must be an even more exhausting state to maintain than its opposite" (Crisp). During the falling action of Lord of the Flies, the conch illustrates
how the boys' right judgment and civilization completely disappear. In addition
to this, we can see how their sense of decency deteriorates into a sense savagery!
An example of this is shown just after the boys disperse in the middle of an
assembly. Ralph says to Piggy, "If I blow the conch and they don't come back;
then we've had it. We shan't keep the fire going. We'll be like animals" (99). Though
this quote we can conclude that the conch has lost its importance and power
because the hunters' savage actions have overpowered any authority the conch
once had in providing civilization. Furthermore, we can see the demise of
decency when the savages at Castle Rock ignore Ralph's attempt in reasoning
with them with his use of the conch. For the last time, Ralph says, "I'm
calling an assembly" (195). Instead of listening, "Jack made a rush and stabbed
at Ralph's chest within his spear" (196). This event confirms that having ownership
of the "ever so valuable" (11) conch doesn't mean anything anymore! By this
time, the conch becomes transparent and more fragile than ever before.
Similarly, the boys' civilization is also delicate. Lastly, Golding develops
the idea that civilization is necessary in a community when Roger throws a rock that strikes Piggy. As a
result, the conch held by Piggy explodes "into a thousand white fragments and
ceased to exist" (200). This shows the errant boys and their lack of respect
for each other. Parallel to losing their respect, the shell that once governed
a political legitimacy, was lost too. Through the
conch, these examples show that the boys' society on the island is not adequate
because of the community's lack of civilization; therefore, civilization
is needed.
Works
Cited
Golding, William. Lord
of the Flies. London: Faber, 1954. Print.
Crisp, Quentin.
"Brainy Quotes." Decency Quotes 2 January 2012
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