A second critical symbol is Piggy's glasses. They are a manifestation of scientific reason and innovation. When they are used to start the signal fire, they become the most important tool on the island. When they are broken, the pathway to savagery opens. By taking them away from Piggy, Jack essentially takes power away from Ralph and the others because they can no longer make the fire that they need. This guides into the symbolism of the fire. In the beginning, it is the source of hope that they might be rescued and return to British society. .
As the adventure continues, it turns from being a beacon of hope to a gauge of the amount of civilization left on the island. Golding foreshadows the demise of the boys' society when the first fire they build goes out of control and ravages part of the island. Piggy tells them "'You got your small fire all right.' [] the boys were falling still and silent, feeling the beginnings of awe at the power set free below them." (Page 44) While they acknowledge this is a big mistake, they also realize that they have power for the first time in their lives. No one can force them to follow rules or to subdue their inner yearnings. They are beginning to understand that they are free to behave as they wish. In the end, ironically, it is the fire set to aid in the murder of Ralph that is seen by a ship and leads to their rescue. A final symbol of the boys slide into animalistic behavior is the beast. Initially, the beast, being what they are all afraid of, represents the fear of the unknown. The small children are afraid of what may be lurking in the untraveled areas of the island. Ralph and Jack explore parts of the island in search of the beast and to reassure the scared children that they are safe. As Jack becomes more powerful, fear of the beast increases and many of the boys feel that Jack's group is better able to protect them than Ralph and Piggy.
