symbolism of the conch
... As well as being on an adventure level, the book is also filled with many forms of symbolism of our society. A main form of symbolism in the book is the conch shell. ... The conch is a strong symbol of authority. ... The conch is used to call meetings and also to gain control when everything is out of hand. At the end of the book, when the conch is destroyed, Ralph is left to go on living by himself.