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The Conch Shell
By allowing the boys to create fire, the first necessity of civilization, Piggy's glasses represent science and technology, mankind's power to transform and remake their environment to best suit its needs.
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Piggy's Glasses Symbol Timeline in Lord of the Flies
The timeline below shows where the symbol Piggy's Glasses appears in Lord of the Flies. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
...on the mountain. They can't figure out how start the fire until Jack grabs the glasses off Piggy's face. Ralph uses the glasses to focus the sun's rays on the wood....
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...starts to criticize the boys, but Jack shouts him down. Simon points out that Piggy's glasses made the fire possible.
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Chapter 4
...some of the hunters start yelling at Jack. Jack, humiliated and angry, hits Piggy. Piggy's glasses fly off, breaking a lens. Jack mocks Piggy and everyone laughs.
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Eventually Jack apologizes for letting the fire die. Ralph asks Piggy's permission to use his glasses to light the fire. Ralph realizes he and Piggy have become allies.
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Chapter 10
...tomorrow and have a feast. To cook the meat, they'll raid Ralph's group for Piggy's glasses. Meanwhile, Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric discover four people aren't enough to keep the fire going....
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Chapter 11
Ralph demands that Jack return Piggy's glasses. He mentions again the importance of the signal fire. Jack's tribe has only a cooking...
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