The characters function as symbols for different aspects of human society:
William Golding's 1954 classic, Lord of the Flies , is a haunting exploration of human nature, civilization, and the inherent capacity for evil. Set against the backdrop of an unspecified nuclear war, it follows a group of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted tropical island. Lord of the Flies
: Tension arises between Ralph, who focuses on building shelters and maintaining a signal fire for rescue, and Jack , who becomes obsessed with hunting and physical power. The characters function as symbols for different aspects
After their plane is shot down, the boys attempt to govern themselves. After their plane is shot down, the boys
: Fear of a "beast" on the island allows Jack to manipulate the boys into a savage tribe. This leads to the brutal murders of Simon , who discovers the "beast" is only a dead parachutist, and Piggy .
: Just as Jack’s tribe hunts Ralph to kill him by setting the island on fire, they are "rescued" by a naval officer, a stark reminder that the adult world is also engaged in its own savage war. Key Characters & Allegories
: Initially, they elect Ralph as chief and use a conch shell to establish a democratic system. Piggy , the intellectual of the group, provides rational advice.