William Golding wrote Lord of the Flies in 1954, drawing on his experience in World War II. The novel tells the story of young British boys stranded alone on an island after their plane is shot down. Without adults, the boys try to form their own society but slowly revert to savagery as they lose touch with civilized norms. Major themes include the conflict between civilization and innate human savagery, and the fragility of order and morality. Symbols and allusions relate the story to biblical and psychological concepts. The title is a reference to the devil or Satan. The novel has had a profound influence on popular culture.