William Golding's Lord of the Flies narrates the descent of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island during wartime from civility to savagery. Initially led by Ralph, who prioritises rescue and order symbolised by the conch shell and signal fire, the boys gradually succumb to primal instincts under Jack's influence, who champions hunting and tribalism. The emergence of a perceived "beast" amplifies their fears and accelerates their moral decay, culminating in violence and the tragic deaths of Piggy and Simon, who represent intellect and innate goodness, respectively. Ultimately, the arrival of a naval officer halts their barbarity, offering a bleak commentary on the inherent human capacity for evil when societal structures collapse. The novel explores themes of civilisation versus savagery and the loss of innocence through allegorical characters and potent symbols.