Summary

In William Golding's allegorical novel, *Lord of the Flies*, a group of British schoolboys are evacuated during an unnamed nuclear war and their plane crashes on a deserted island. With no adults to supervise, they initially revel in their newfound freedom, electing Ralph as their leader and establishing a semblance of order, symbolized by the conch shell, which becomes the emblem of civilized discourse.

The boys attempt to create a functional society, assigning tasks such as building shelters and maintaining a signal fire for potential rescue. However, their fragile civilization soon begins to crumble as primal instincts take over. Jack, a charismatic choirboy, challenges Ralph's authority and appeals to the boys' baser desires by promising them the thrill of the hunt. As Jack's influence grows, the boys become increasingly savage, prioritizing immediate gratification over long-term goals. The signal fire, representing their connection to civilization and hope of rescue, is neglected, and the boys become consumed by their fear of a mythical "beast."

The once-united group splinters into two opposing factions: Ralph's faction, representing order, reason, and the collective good, and Jack's tribe, embracing savagery, violence, and individual gratification. The conch, once a symbol of democracy and civilized discourse, loses its power as the boys succumb to their primal urges. The hunt becomes a ritualistic obsession, culminating in the brutal killing of a sow, whose head is impaled on a stick as an offering to the "beast."

Simon, a contemplative and insightful boy, discovers the true nature of the beast, realizing that it is not an external monster but rather the inherent darkness within themselves. However, his attempt to share this revelation with the others ends tragically when he is mistaken for the beast and brutally murdered in a frenzied ritualistic killing. With Simon's death, any remaining semblance of civilization vanishes, and the island descends into chaos. Piggy, the intellectual and rational voice of the group, is also killed, and the conch is shattered, symbolizing the complete triumph of savagery over reason.

As Ralph is hunted by Jack's tribe, the island is consumed by a raging fire, ironically drawing the attention of a passing naval officer. The boys are "rescued" from the island, but their innocence is lost forever. The naval officer, representing the adult world, is oblivious to the horrors that have transpired, viewing their experience as mere "fun and games." The novel concludes with Ralph weeping for the loss of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the death of his true and wise friend, Piggy, thus highlighting the inherent defects of human nature and the fragility of civilization.