Final answer:
In William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies,' Piggy grabs the conch shell in an attempt to speak before it is destroyed, symbolizing the collapse of order on the island.
Step-by-step explanation:
The character that tries to speak by grabbing the conch shell right before it is destroyed is Piggy in William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies. The conch shell symbolizes order, authority, and civilization among the boys on the island. Its destruction signifies the collapse of the social order and the descent into savagery.
The scene underscores the power struggle and conflict between the characters, with the conch being a central element to the novel's theme of the loss of innocence and the inherent evil of mankind.