Final answer:
The signal fire in 'Lord of the Flies' represents hope and rescue, but as the story progresses, it becomes neglected, symbolizing the loss of civilization and the boys' descent into savagery.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 'Lord of the Flies', the signal fire represents hope and rescue. It is initially started by the boys to attract passing ships in order to be rescued from the island. However, as the story progresses, the signal fire becomes neglected and eventually goes out, symbolizing the loss of civilization and the boys' descent into savagery.
For example, when the boys see the fellow waving the coat, they speculate that he is trying to tell them to go north where there might be a life-saving station. This suggests that the signal fire was initially effective in attracting attention. However, as time passes, the boys become more focused on their primal instincts and the fire is no longer a priority, leading to missed opportunities for rescue.