"Lord of the Flies" is a novel by William Golding that tells the story of a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island after a plane crash. Without adult supervision, they attempt to govern themselves, leading to chaos and conflict as their civilized behavior begins to break down. As the boys split into factions, their struggle for power and survival reveals the darker aspects of human nature. The story explores themes of innocence, society, and the inherent savagery within humanity, ultimately illustrating how quickly order can descend into disorder.