Imagine what it would be like to grow up in an orderly society with rules and manners, and then suddenly find yourself stranded on a deserted, dangerous island, with no idea how to survive or escape. In William Golding's Lord of the Flies, a group of young boys become lost on a mysterious island and are forced to find a way to survive, becoming hopelessly barbaric along the way. As their journey progresses, the bare essence of human nature is revealed. Some of us may believe that human nature is essentially good, loving, and compassionate at heart, while others perceive it as evil, selfish, and corrupt. Golding's novel demonstrates that we are civilized when we are part of a society, but we quickly become savage when isolated from it. When characters remain within the confines of a society with rules, they remain civilized in their nature. Throughout the story, the conch symbolizes authority. When Ralph blows the conch for the first time, it unites everyone stranded on the island. They establish the rule according to which no one can speak in the assembly if he does not have the conch in his hand. This brings order to their encounters and prevents them from becoming destructive or chaotic. Ralph is one of the most civilized characters, but as the novel progresses we see that he too succumbs to the beast within all of us. As a leader, he undertakes his duty responsibly, acting in ways that benefit the entire group. In assemblies, Ralph tries to address everyone's worries and concerns. He tries to convince everyone that to survive they all have to work together. Piggy represents another aspect of civilization, reason. Piggy's great intellect allows him to find clever solutions to their problems. For example, it was Piggy who... in the middle of the paper... his quote proves that boys do not hunt simply out of a need for food, but simply out of a need for power, which can only be obtained by harming others. They attack Ralph's group and steal Piggy's glasses. Ralph tries to make Jack understand the importance of lighting a signal fire in order to be rescued, but he simply doesn't care anymore. Eventually, Roger captures Samneric, the members of Ralph's civilized society. They have no choice but to do what Jack says and give in to Roger's every command. Golding truly reveals that while we are civilized within the confines of a society, we quickly become savage when isolated from it. The conch and reason of characters like Ralph and Piggy help direct order on the island. But when Jack and his boys wander off, they immediately go wild and harm others.