The CONCH
More Than Just a Shell...
Law & Order
The conch shell sybmolizes the rule of law and civilization. It's used to call assemblies and as a kind of microphone that grants the right to speak to whomever holds it during the assembly.
- "We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They'll come when they hear us" (Golding 16). When the boys first arrive on the island, Ralph and Piggy discover the conch shell and realize it could be used to call meetings with the other boys.
- "I've got the conch," said Piggy, in a hurt voice. "I got a right to speak" (Golding 44). Throughout the story, the conch shell was used as a "talking stick."
- "Conch! Conch! " shouted Jack. "We don't need the conch anymore!" (Golding 101). By the end, the conch shell loses its power.