Lord of the Flies

The novel follows a group of British schoolboys who are stranded on an uninhabited island after their plane crashes during a wartime evacuation. Initially, they attempt to establish a democratic society with rules and structure, hoping for a swift rescue. However, as the pressures of survival mount and the fear of an unknown "beast" on the island takes hold, the group fractures. The story descends into chaos, power struggles, and savage violence, ultimately revealing how quickly the veneer of civilization can crumble.