Savagery is compiled by the downfall of civil society when there is no adult authority linking children to civil manner. Children are not at blame if they progress into savagery because without direction towards a civil society, every human goes back to their primitive nature. The progression from a civil society to a savage society can be expressed through symbols in the novel Lord of the Flies. Firstly, the conch showed the negative shift towards savagery. Secondly, Piggy's character was very symbolic in representing the change from civil to savage. Finally, the fire was symbolic in showing the change of the boy's attitudes and their descent into savagery. Golding uses symbols affectively, communicating the change from a civil society to a society of complete savagery. .
The conch was used to establish rules, authority and give power to whoever possessed it. The conch was therefore a very symbolic element that showed the descending change from a civil society to a completely savage society. Firstly, the fading colour of the conch symbolized the fading of civil society. When the conch was originally discovered and introduced, "The shell was deep cream touched here and there with fading pink" (15). The colours of the shell symbolized peace and innocence. At this point in the novel, the conch was used for stability, order; therefore took on the role as a regulator of democracy, a tool that the boys obeyed. While Ralph made the rules of the conch he said, "We can't have everybody talking at once. We"ll have to have "Hands up" like at school" (Golding 31). However, as time progressed, the vibrant colour of the shell faded, symbolizing the diminishment of the conch's power that it once held. At this point, when the colours of the shell faded, the children began to disobey its rules. The boys started to shout and talk over the person who held the conch. For example, while Simon was talking about the beast at an assembly, he was constantly interrupted until Ralph finally shouted, "Hear him! He's got the conch!" (80).
