Lord of the Flies

A dark and thought-provoking exploration of human nature, societal breakdown, and the loss of innocence. The novel follows a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island, where their attempts to govern themselves devolve into savagery and chaos. As the boys' personalities and social dynamics clash, the story delves into the primal instincts of violence, power, and survival that emerge when civilization's constraints are stripped away. The novel examines how thin the veneer of civilization truly is, and how quickly order can unravel when individuals are no longer bound by societal rules. The two central figures—Ralph, who represents order, leadership, and rationality, and Jack, who symbolizes chaos, dominance, and savagery—embody the tension between civilization and barbarism. Their escalating conflict represents the broader human struggle between the desire for structure and the lure of anarchic freedom. Although often regarded as a critique of humanity's inherent barbarism, the novel touches on the fragility of innocence and the powerful force of social influence. I find it a rather intense read, with sharp social commentary and psychological insights on the tension between civilization and savagery to resonate in discussion about the human behavior and societal structures.