From the start of the novel, the beach symbolizes a place of security and safety. Ralph and Piggy spot the conch on the shore of the beach and as the novel progresses, the boys hold their civilized meetings on the beach. The beach was the place where the littluns played, and where the older boys started to build their shelters. In contrast to the forest, the boys felt comfortable and protected at the beach. The boys had a view of the ocean and felt comforted in the fact that a ship might come and save them. The forest often terrified the littluns and even the older boys as it was dark and uncertain. In the forest there was the scary reality that the boys are stuck on the island, but on the beach the boys still had hope. At the end of the novel, the British naval officer saves Ralph’s life near the shore. This shows that even when the whole island was in chaos, the beach was the only spot of safety and comfort.