To underscore the point of Piggy's glasses representing intelligence, his glasses, which make him seem more adult along with his paunchy body and thinning hair, come to represent the ability of which a more adult intelligence is capable--namely reason. Thus, the breaking of the glasses, as symbolic of reason and rationality, represents the breakdown of civilized behavior in the boys. When the glasses are stolen, all rationality is taken away and anarchy with Jack and the sadistic Roger gains control:
The chief [Jack] led then, trotting steadily, exulting in his achievement. He was chief now in truth; and he made stabbing motion with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy's broken glasses. (Chapter Ten)
After the theft and gaining of the power to make fire, reason is blinded: "They've blinded me," says Piggy, who tells Ralph that he is going to go to Jack with the conch, "the talisman" of civilization and order, and hold it before him, asking to the return of his glasses:
Look, I'm goin' to say, you're stronger than I am and ....you can see...with both eyes. But I don't ask for my glasses back, not as a favor. I don't ask you to be a sport, I'll say, not because you're strong, but beacause what's right's right. Give me my glasses, I'm going to say--you got to." (Chapter Eleven)
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