In the novel Lord of the Flies, the conch shell plays a significant role as a symbol of civilization and order. The conch is discovered early in the novel by Ralph and Piggy, who use it to call the other boys on the island to assemblies. From the beginning, the conch is associated with the idea of democracy and the use of reason and logic to solve problems.
As the boys on the island begin to descend into savagery and lose touch with their civilized ways, the conch becomes a symbol of the struggle between order and chaos. The conch represents the fragile and delicate nature of civilization, and its power lies in the fact that it can only be wielded effectively when the boys are able to follow the rules and use it to communicate in an orderly fashion.
Throughout the novel, the conch is used to establish rules and maintain order on the island. It is used to call meetings and to establish a hierarchy among the boys, with Ralph being chosen as the leader due to his possession of the conch. However, as the boys become more savage and the rules are increasingly ignored, the conch begins to lose its power.
Ultimately, the conch is destroyed in a fit of violence, symbolizing the complete breakdown of order and the triumph of savagery over civilization. This event serves as a turning point in the novel and marks the beginning of the complete loss of order and the descent into chaos.
In conclusion, the conch shell serves as a powerful symbol in Lord of the Flies, representing the struggle between civilization and savagery. It is a fragile symbol, but one that holds great power when wielded effectively. Its destruction marks the complete breakdown of order and the triumph of savagery over civilization.
"Echo" is a poem written by Christina Rossetti, a Victorian poet known for her religious and devotional works. The poem explores the theme of loss and the enduring power of memory through the metaphor of an echo.
In the opening lines of the poem, Rossetti introduces the idea of an echo as a voice that repeats the words of others, but "dies away" when the sound that caused it has ceased. This serves as a metaphor for the way that memories and emotions can linger long after the events or people that sparked them are gone.
The speaker of the poem laments the loss of a loved one, saying that their absence feels like a "silent desert" and a "vacant nest." They wonder if their loved one can still hear them, even though they are no longer physically present. This longing for connection and the fear of being forgotten is a common theme in Rossetti's poetry, and it is evident in the speaker's words.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the way that echoes can be both comforting and unsettling. On the one hand, hearing an echo can feel like a reassuring presence, a reminder that someone or something has been there before. On the other hand, an echo can also be a source of loneliness and longing, as it is a reminder of what is no longer present.
In the final stanza, the speaker speaks directly to the echo, asking it to "whisper low" the words of their loved one, as if they were still there. This serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of memory and the ways in which it can continue to shape our thoughts and feelings long after the people and events that inspired them are gone.
Overall, "Echo" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the theme of loss and the enduring power of memory through the metaphor of an echo. Rossetti's use of language and imagery is evocative and moving, and the poem speaks to the universal human experience of loss and the desire to hold onto the people and memories that we hold dear.
