The fires represent rescueand, therefore, hope. It also represents light, and a pushing back of the darkness. The darkness here is the savagery that threatens to overwhelm the marooned boys. With the fire, they have both light and hope. Without it, they are cast into the darkness.

Fire also represents destruction, if left unchecked. Twice the boys let the fire get away and burn the island. The mention of the atomic bomb back in civilization is another example: the fire, i.e. the hope of humanity, has gotten away from them.The fire becomes destructive, representing how the best intentions of men—or boys—can become corrupted if not guarded carefully.

The conch shell represents civility and order. Whomever speaks must hold the conch. Ralph calls them all together with the voice of the conch. Even in the beginning, the boys shout over whomever is holding the conch. Piggy, as the intelligent voice of reason, constantly reminds them to speak only with the conch. When Jack and Ralph begin to split apart, Ralph is afraid of blowing the conch to call Jack back. He is afraid that Jack will not listen, and their government—their civility and order—will break down.