Critics have argued over the true meaning of William Golding's symbolism in his famous novel of good and evil, Lord of the Flies.  Modeled after his favorite childhood book, Coral Island, Golding sought to show how the goodness of society kept the evilness of man in check and he uses a great deal of symbolism to make his point. There are obvious religious connections present throughout the novel, and much of the symbolism relates to the Christian faith.  

First, the boys all make a fall from the grace that society has instilled in them. The presence of the school's choir with its black gowns, caps, and crosses shows that these boys should be the most holy and angelic of them all. Later however, they become the tribe hunters, and make a transition to a more animal and evil like state. They slowly become more animalistic and...