William Golding's allegorical Lord of the Flies portrays the struggle of a group of British boarding-school boys who are marooned on an island in the tropics. They quickly band together and form a democratic system to govern themselves. The job of chief is quickly given to Ralph, which infuriates Jack, who already possesses the qualities of a skilled leader. Jack's anger increases, and he continually pushes the boundaries of his role in the group. Eventually, when the boys refuse to relieve Ralph of his position, Jack declares himself the leader of a new tribe, beginning the deterioration of the democratic society and the birth of a new autocratic tribe. Although a democracy with rescue in mind is the obvious choice for civilized British boys, Jack's savage, heathen society prevails as the boys' regression from civilization shows that evil is stronger than good.

At the outset of the novel...