Final answer:
The island setting in 'Lord of the Flies' pushes the boys to let go of societal conventions and adapt to an environment that is indifferent or hostile, which exposes various aspects of human nature and the concept of survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
The island setting in Lord of the Flies affects the boys' behavior significantly in the first few chapters of the novel. As they find themselves in a new environment free from adult supervision, the boys are forced to let go of some of society's conventions. Being in an uninhabited island space, which is by nature indifferent or even hostile to human striving, exposes them to natural elements and relies on them to create their own structure for survival and social interaction. This situation unfurls different aspects of their personalities, some resorting to primal instincts while others cling to the remnants of civilization. Unlike a controlled environment like school or home, the island is unpredictable and untamed, which places the boys in a scenario much like Darwinian natural selection where only the adaptable can navigate the challenges presented by the new environment.