This shows that the boys disobeyed the rules of the conch. Finally, when the conch was destroyed by a boulder, the end of a civil society is portrayed. When Piggy went to Castle Rock to retrieve his glasses, he went with the intent and attitude that the conch still had stability and order on the boys. Piggy said, "I got the conch. I"m going to that Jack Meridew and telling him I am" (156). When Piggy arrived with Ralph at castle rock, Piggy tried desperately to gain the children's attention. The novel said, "The booing rose and died again as Piggy lifted the white magic shell" (164). Soon after, Piggy was struck with a boulder and the conch was also destroyed by the impact. This shows that the conch still possessed power but it was destroyed, leaving society on the island completely open to savagery. The conch has portrayed the gradual change from a civil society to a society of complete savagery in the novel.
Piggy was undoubtedly the most symbolic character in the novel; he represented the changing of society through his character. Piggy symbolized the law and order that the children left behind in the outside world. Firstly, Piggy's glasses represented a turning point in the novel. Piggy argued the fact that the fire was more important than hunting was. Jack became very angry and "He took a step, and able at last to hit someone, stuck his fist into Piggy's stomach" (65). Jack hit Piggy again and "Piggy's glasses flew off and tinkled on the rocks" (65). Jack did not apologize for his actions after the matter and is the first incident where Jack descends into savagery. Furthermore, Jack and his tribe planned a raid to steal Piggy's glasses. Jack and his tribe stole Piggy's glasses and felt no compassion as they left Piggy blinded. When Piggy's glasses were broken, it symbolized a point where rational influence no longer existed and the structure that held the island's society together began to crumble, causing total chaos on the island.
