Symbolism in The Lord of the Flies

“Symbolism”, as defined by Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, is “the art or practice of using ‘symbols’ especially by investing things with a symbolic meaning or by expressing the invisible or intangible by means of visible or sensuous representations” (Webster 892). Throughout William Golding’s LORD OF THE FLIES, Golding uses symbolism for several names, objects, and the environment. The conch, Piggy’s specs, and the fire are only a few examples of the many different symbols Golding uses in his novel to help the reader understand how a society can self destruct..
The moment Piggy finds the conch, Ralph blows the shell and brings the boys together. “Ralph! We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They’ll come when they hear us-" (16). Togetherness is represented in that the boys hear the conch like an adult calling a child in from play. Power and leadership are represented because whoever has the conch is the only person allowed ...