Is the physical description of the conch important in Lord of Flies?

Question

Is the physical description of the conch important in Lord of Flies?

Answer 1

The physical description of the conch in Lord of the Flies is important because its representation as a beautiful, desirable object informs its symbolism. When Ralph looks at the shell, he is struck by its beauty: "In color the shell was deep cream, touched here and there with fading pink. Between the point, worn away into a little hole, and the pink lips of the mouth, lay eighteen inches of shell with a slight spiral twist and covered with a delicate, embossed pattern." As the conch is used throughout the novel to establish a civil society founded on discourse and consensus, it also becomes a desirable object to possess, as when one of the boys holds the conch, he is given the power to have his voice heard and contribute to their civilized society. Additionally, its physical qualities allow it to be used like a trumpet, which gives it the quality of possessing power and makes it capable of producing what is described as a "booming" sound and a "strident blare." These physical characteristics help establish this seemingly simple seashell as a desirable and powerful instrument within the story.