Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes. In the absence of adult authority, the boys split into factions led by Ralph and Jack. Jack's faction grows increasingly violent as they hunt pigs and rumors spread of a beast. Their descent into savagery culminates with the death of Piggy and a ritualistic murder of Simon. Just as Ralph is about to be killed, a naval officer spots the boys' signal fire and rescues them, leaving many questions about human nature and civilization unanswered. The novel examines concepts of good and evil, innocence, and the fragility of social order.