The book is set during an unknown Nuclear War on a deserted island in a remote region of the Pacific Ocean. During a wartime evacuation a British airplane crashes into a deserted island. The only survivors are young boys whose ages range approximately from 6 years old to 12 years old. Throughout the book the younger boys are referred to as littleuns and the older boys are referred to as biguns. The hierarchy among the boys reflects everyday social life as they younger kids look upto the bigger kids as role models and also for protection. As they are schoolkids, looks influence respect and power on the island. A prime example of this is when Piggy is made fun of because of his weight and glasses even though he is an extremely smart and wise boy.