The choir boys taking off their robes in chapter 2 of Lord of the Flies symbolizes the shedding of their civilized identities and the embrace of their primal instincts. As they cast off their robes, they are also casting off the constraints of society and the expectations that come with being choir boys. This act is a turning point in the novel, as it marks the beginning of the boys' descent into savagery.
The choir boys are the first to embrace the wildness of the island, and their actions set the tone for the rest of the novel. By shedding their robes, they are symbolically rejecting the values of their former lives and embracing a new way of life that is based on violence and power. This transformation is a warning about the dangers of unchecked human nature and the fragility of civilization.