The Importance of Simon in Lord of the Flies

Look closely at the beginning and end of chapter nine. What is the

importance of the character of Simon here and in the rest of the

novel?

Lord of the Flies, written in 1954 by William Golding, is a symbolic

microcosm of the world Golding knew and participated in. The island

and the boys represent Golding’s view of the world and humankind in

general. It is an examination of the definition of society, man’s

inclination for evil and destruction and the inevitable result of

anarchy and chaos. It is an exploration of the break down of society

in the absence of rules and regulations. Indeed Golding himself

defines the text as ‘an attempt to trace the defects of society back

to the defects of human nature.’ It shows an insight into a world

where all civility is abandoned and the human race regresses into

primitive beings.

Simon is a device created by Golding, who can be seen on multiple

levels, ultimately signifying compassion and kindness. Simon is

different form the other boys not only due to his physical frailty,

shown in his fainting spells, but also n his consistently expressed

concern for the more vulnerable boys. Littleuns follow him and he

picks fruit for them from spots they can’t reach, painting a saintly

or Christ-like image. In addition, he has a secret place in the jungle

where he spends time alone, emphasising how he is different form the

other boys, introspective and philosophical. He is presented in the

text as a compassionate figure yet is called insulting names, such as

‘batty’ and ‘queer’ and is also marginalised from the centre of power

and influence. Ironically, the representation of consideration and

kindness is in fact the character that is ostracized and excluded from

the group. Gol...

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Simon’s importance in the chapter A View To A Death and the rest of

the novel is to signify, along with Ralph and Piggy, a moral and

civilised society. He attempts to maintain the civility in which the

book started; however he finds it increasingly difficult as the rest

of the boys regress into a primitive and lawless civilization. Despite

his frailty, Simon soldiers on his quest to discover the identity of

the beast on the mountaintop because he sees that need for the boys to

face their fears, to understand the true identity of the false beast

on the mountain and to get on with the business of facing the beast

within themselves. His character signifies morality, kindness and

compassion and ironically, it is these qualities which lead to his

murder, and ultimately the final collapse of society on the island and

deterioration into savagery of the boys.