Final answer:
In 'Lord of the Flies', the Beast symbolizes the innate evil within the boys and the loss of innocence as their behavior becomes more savage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 'Beast' in William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies (LOF) is a symbol with multiple interpretations depending on the reader's perspective. However, the most commonly accepted interpretation is a) The innate evil within the boys. The beast is not a physical entity but rather a manifestation of the boys' inner fears and the dark side of human nature. As the boys' society begins to fracture and their civilized behavior gives way to savagery, the beast symbolizes the moral decline and the loss of innocence they are experiencing.