The character of Simon appears different from the other boys in many

The character of Simon appears different from the other boys in many

ways. What effect does this give, and why has Golding used such a

character for a contribution to the novel as a whole? Use a study of

character to justify your response, and closely ...

The character of Simon appears different from the other boys in many

ways. What effect does this give, and why has Golding used such a

character for a contribution to the novel as a whole? Use a study of

character to justify your response, and closely analyze one passage

describing Simon.

The novel ‘Lord of the Flies’, written in the early 1950’s is an

allegorical, adventure story; a castaway story about the loss of

innocence. Within this novel William Golding presents many ideas and

themes on levels which require a depth of consideration, but which can

also be interpreted in different ways by all.

The main theme Golding puts forward is the idea the book is based

around. The island is a microcosm of the world, and so the behaviour

in which the boys partake represents that of society. Therefore, the

degeneration of civilization which occurs, shows that society holds

everyone together, without the restraints and rules of society, man

loses sense of right and wrong, and anarchy and savagery can come to

light. The beast within will slowly but surely reveal itself, when

there is nothing to hold it back, leading to a return to primal

states, ultimately resulting in afore said savagery. The novel shows

that it is Golding’s belief that the human impulse is not as deeply

rooted to civilization, as it is to savagery.

The novel shows our morals come directly from our surroundings, and

the boys’ behaviour justifies this as their surroundings are changed.

Most of the boys do encounter these changes, except for one. Simon. He

stands on an entirely different plane from the rest of the boys.

Although he is younger than Jack, Ralph and Piggy, he is good, pure

and has the most positive outlook. He is insistent that even in the

worst of situations, they will be rescued, even when the likes of

Ralph are doubting the odds. Simon seems to have a spiritual human

goodness which is deeply connected with nature. He is kind to the

younger children, and sees the good within all. He is the first, and

perhaps the only one to realize that the beast on the island is not in

the physical form, but the evil which lurks within all human beings, -

‘“What I mean is …maybe it’s only us”’….. ‘Simon became inarticulate