“Lord of the Flies” is a novel written by British author William Golding, first published in 1954. The story revolves around a group of British boys who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes during a wartime evacuation. Here is a summary of the novel:

The story begins with a group of boys, including Ralph, Piggy, and Jack, being marooned on an uninhabited tropical island during a nuclear war. They initially try to establish order and civilization by electing Ralph as their leader and creating rules for the group. Ralph, who represents reason and order, insists on maintaining a signal fire to increase their chances of being rescued.

However, the boys’ attempts at creating a functioning society gradually break down as they succumb to fear, power struggles, and their own primal instincts. Jack, the leader of a group of hunters, becomes obsessed with hunting and power, leading to a division within the group. The boys start to believe in a mythical beast that they think inhabits the island, stoking their fears and superstitions.

As the story unfolds, the boys’ descent into savagery becomes more pronounced. They abandon the rules and morality of their old world and embrace violence, leading to the tragic death of Simon, a character who represents innocence and spirituality. Meanwhile, Piggy, the voice of reason and intelligence, is also killed as the group descends into chaos.

In the end, Ralph is pursued by the savage boys who intend to kill him, but their pursuit is interrupted when they encounter a naval officer who has arrived to rescue them. The officer is shocked by the boys’ appearance and behavior, which starkly contrasts with the civilization he represents.

“Lord of the Flies” explores themes of the inherent darkness within human nature, the conflict between civilization and savagery, and the loss of innocence. It serves as a powerful allegory for the potential for evil that exists within all of us when societal constraints are removed.