The novel opens with the conch shell being discovered by Ralph and Piggy. As the group forms the conch was used as the talking piece. As savagery sweeps in the conch is respected less and less. Representative a change in identity towards the characters. With the group descending into savagery civility is merely forgotten. Building up to the destruction of the conch and savagery being fully taken over. With this chaos was unleashed with the destruction of the island, piggy's death, and realization at the end.

Golding uses the conch's level of respect to share the change in each character. Jack is shown to first leave the conch. As his character was the first to descend into savagery and leave his original civility. Ralph being the selected leader tries and still use the conch with Piggy and Simon still on his side. Helping to show their restrain to savagery. Thus, relating to Locke's interpretation on the state of nature "the state of nature is characterized by the absence of government". Locke's idea describes Lord of the Flies as once the conch (government) was forgotten, the characters true selves were shown. Golding referencing this to society and the audience the importance of having a civil society.

The fire is used to symbolize hope in the boy's future of being rescued and survival from the island as shown in chapter 2 ""There's another thing. We can help them to find us. If a ship comes near the island, they may not notice us. So, we must make smoke on top of the mountain. We must make a fire." "A fire! Make a fire!" (Golding pages 29-30).  As the fire is used as a signal to find rescue from nearby ships it gives each member a role in trying to keep the fire intake at all times in order to be rescued, this is later shown as ineffective as no solution was found.  it also used as a trap later on the story being used as a weapon against the boys eventually trying to smoke one out.

The symbol of fire develops through Jacks character. As he realizes hunting or becoming a savage is
more important to him then setting up the signal fire in order to be rescued being more civil. This is
shown as a rescue ship passes them and Piggy and Ralph side with civilization. The fire representing the
difference between civilization and savagery as it is shown to be used in both ways one being rescued
and one to make food.

In lord of the Flies the symbol of fire helps set the theme of civilization of savagery, loss of innocence, and change of identity. As the story continues the fire becomes more of a symbol as the importance is shown in getting rescued but as well destruction. Fire is shown if out of control, then destruction can happen but if maintained well the good in it will be used. 

The conch as shown in the beginning parts of the novel was a sign of civilization being used to bring the
boys together. As the conch is still used in chapters 4 it is shown to be less effective as the holder of the
conch has less respect than before. The conch begins to lose its power as the boy's disagreement on the
use of the conch, Jack offering to not use it at all and the boys have different worths. Later in the book
the conch slowly being faded away as it is rarely mentioned.

The conch continues to develop as a symbol in chapters 7-9 towards the decline of civility. In the beginning, being used to maintain order and roles between the group, announced as the main talking tool. The book going on the conch is slowly forgotten as savagery becomes prominent and in doing so the breakdown of civil order.  This development reveals that without civil order mayhem will be prominent in society. 

.Roger and Maurice destroy the littluns' sandcastles is used as a symbol in becoming less civil and more
savage. Doing so out of pity nor benefitting them to share the expression of being of higher authority to
the rest of the world. Thus, showing a change in character development.

Ralph is still shown as the main protagonist in becoming the leader of the group. Although his
respect is declining. This being shown with the signal fire and the lack of responsibility the other
characters have for it. We learn Ralph is a very anxious person worrying about their survival

As the novel begins to descend Ralph starts to enhance his role as a leader. and his struggle in doing so. This is shown in his aggravation in his group and his goal in getting rescued “just have t get on without them what about the fire” (Golding Page 124)? Struggles begin to take over Ralph in this section as the group separating this relating to Freuds interpretation of ID “the psychic force that motivates the tendency to seek immediate gratification of any impulse.” (Freud). Thus, showing Ralphs desire for survival and his need to be rescued. Reflecting on the setting of the boys and the cause and effect that comes with the island.  

As the story continues Ralph character realizes the importance of rescue. Hoping to the help from the others "they got our fire they stole it"! with the pressure of being a leader Ralphs character is shown to break down under pressure as realization sets in on his future life. This is shown towards the end as the naval officer asks what has happened to Ralph. 

Jack turns into a savage during these chapters as shown with his obsession with hunting. This being
shown with his face paint as well as siding away from the main group. We learn Jack is a selfless person
and arrogant

Jacks character as the book gradually moves on becomes more savagery as it slowly taking over his personality. This relates to Hobbes' theory on State of Nature and the idea that people are driven on decision as he says, “unlimited freedom leads to war” (Hobbes). Prioritizing hunting in doing so leading to the death of Simon “The beast was on its knees its arms folded over the center of his face” (Golding page 136). The message of control again is shown and the reflections where control is taken away. As the order of society is broken havoc is the result . 

Jacks character becomes more and more descending into savagery. Striving for more violence and power.  As before he was a skronny kid that never knew anything about power/control "Jack  had backed right against the tribe and they were solid mass of menace bristled with spears". His actions shown proves his need for power. As his hunt for Ralph fed into his addiction shows his loss of civilization. 

Piggy is the certain and often the reasoner of the group. Siding not with one person but with
everyone he reasons to show that rescue is the main motive. We learn that piggy wants order in the
group and wants to just be rescued. As the other characters are fading away from him.

Piggy's character maintains civilization throughout the book. In the last few chapters this remains the same as still trying to keep everyone under control "piggy whispered and the fire" (page 160). His awkwardness is still shown as the group doesn't give him respect or the time to talk. As an outcast to the group tragic occurs as Piggy's death from Rodger's boulder shows the groups loss of innocence. 

Simon continues to help with the group as well as explore the island himself. We can see Simon
is still a respectable person in helping others. He later learns that each character is changing and tries to
explain their new development.
2. At the beginning of chapter 4, Roger and Maurice walk out of the jungle and destroy the littluns’
sandcastles. What theme(s) are explored through this scene? What is Golding trying to show us
through this action?
Roger and Maurice destroy the littluns' sandcastles is used as a symbol in becoming less civil and more
savage. Doing so out of pity nor benefitting them to share the expression of being of higher authority to
the rest of the world. Thus, showing a change in character development.
3. Explain how the symbol of the fire develops throughout chapter 4.
The symbol of fire develops through Jacks character. As he realizes hunting or becoming a savage is
more important to him then setting up the signal fire in order to be rescued being more civil. This is
shown as a rescue ship passes them and Piggy and Ralph side with civilization. The fire representing the
difference between civilization and savagery as it is shown to be used in both ways one being rescued
and one to make food.
4. When Jack paints his face for the hunt, the narrator notes "the mask was a thing on its own,
behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness." Explain how the boys
change after putting on their masks. What is the mask a symbol for? What theme(s) is
developed through this symbol?
The theme of character change/identity is developed through this symbol as before at the start of the
novel Jack is depicted as a skinny frail freckled boy. As the story moves forward Jack turns himself into a
hunter hiding his past self with the use of the face paint. In theory becoming more savagery. The mask
becoming a symbol of change for the boys into becoming new people as they live on the island
representing recklessness.

Themes leading up to the death of Simon are shown to be darkness, and true identify as Simon was the only member of the group who realized the true meaning of the “beast”. As the death of Simon was due to the boy's darkness and misinterpretation shows the consequences that could come with it. With Simons death savagery now has complete taken over as Simon had morality left with his exit this is gone. With the death of the sow and the death of the Simon Golding is communicating the idea of control as both deaths were thoughtless. In doing so not knowing what they were truly as they were in the heat of the moment. The theme of savagery is once again introduced as all hopes of civility are now lost between the group. Golding introduces death to send a message to the audience about the truth about society. All humans have a sense of darkness in them, but the main idea is the importance of controlling or as shown chaos will happen. 

The beast as represented in the novel is an imaginative figure of fear in the boys. The beast being inside them and their true self they hide away. This relates to the idea that humans can be their own restraint in a way. Golding showing this through each of the boys and what is unique about each character being vulnerable to their own fears and overthinking the outcome.  

The theme of the beast is present in this as savagery has completely taken over the civil that was left in Jack. Behing shown with the defenseless pig and placing the head on the stick. This showing the main message of the chapter in without restraint humans will do as they please thus showing all humans have a hidden cruelty in them.   

The symbol of the beast has come to realization as the boy's inner feelings.  As Jacks group thrives for savagery in the hunt to find Ralph the beast becomes more and more vivid. After to the death of Simon and the chaos before.  This relates to the books main message in human nature as without restraint/order human nature will lead to savagery.