Jane,

Golding also used a lot of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell, who do refer to the Bible but not extensively, to enhance the extended metaphor.

And the boys were fleeing a war.

A hierarchy was already formed (the Choir) the thinker with his glasses (Piggy), the Democrat (Ralph) and the beast, (the Devil incarnate) who, through the despotic machinations of Jack, feasted on the fear of many, especially the 'Littl'uns."

Children often mimic their elders and in 'Lord of the Flies', the boys revert to primitive religion and internecine warfare.

As did most of the world from 1937 (Japan invades China) to 1945.

After all, WW2 was a war wherein whole cities, with women and children and men, were incinerated: using the best that science could materialize.

To say nothing of atomic bombs.

Golding was spot on as the boys came from a strictly enforced class conscious/unconscious culture. The Tongans on the other hand, were not, and dare I say, emulated their elders very well.

Thanks for a good story.