In William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," the boys do not directly interact with their fathers in the traditional sense, as the story occurs on a deserted island without adult supervision. However, the concept of paternal figures and the lessons learned from their experiences can be interpreted through the overarching themes of civilization, authority, and the inherent nature of humanity.
As the boys descend into chaos and savagery, they confront the absence of authority and guidance that a father figure might provide. The lack of social structure leads to a breakdown of order, and the boys learn profound lessons about the duality of human nature, the loss of innocence, and the consequences of abandoning civilization.
One key lesson is that without the influence of parental figures or societal norms, humans can revert to primal instincts. The boys become increasingly violent and savage, illustrating how easily the veneer of civilization can be stripped away. In the end, their experiences highlight the need for order and authority, which are often embodied in the metaphorical sense by a father figure.
In summary, while the boys don't directly learn from their fathers, their experiences on the island teach them about the fragility of civilization and the dark aspects of human nature that can emerge in the absence of guidance and structure.