Lord of the Flies_Simon analysis
Simon's Role in William Golding's Lord of the FliesIn William Golding's Lord of the Flies, the character Simon is important to the novel's theme of evil in human nature and the need to acknowledge this evil. Simon is a Christ figure and has the qualities of a peacemaker and prophet; these qualities allow him to give Ralph, the chief protagonist, insight into his own nature. Simon is a peacemaker because throughout the novel, he stops Jack from bullying Piggy and he stops the quarrels between Ralph and Jack. For example, when Jack is criticizing Piggy for not helping to build the fire, Simon says, "We used his specs, he helped that way"(46). This shows that Simon is constantly observing and trying to show his community the useful contributions of other boys. Simon also stops the conflict between Ralph and Jack. When Ralph and Jack are arguing about who is doing more work, Simon comes in and share the wo
He is the only one who questions himself: "I was-I don't know what I was" (173). Simon is a prophet because he can foretell the future and gain knowledge from a spiritual realm. When Simon attempts to inform the boys of his discovery and new knowledge, the boys stab him to death. Ralph's ability to acknowledge the fact that evil exists in himself helps him to stay good from the rest of the boys. Like many other prophets, Simon is also executed. Simon frees the dead and decaying body; he does this to free the others from the feared beast. The Lord of the Flies talks to Simon and makes him understand why things are going wrong in the island: "Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! You knew, didn't? I'm part of you? Close, close, close! I'm the reason why it's no go? Why things are what they are?"(158). Simon's sacrifice teaches Ralph a lesson; it makes Ralph acknowledge his evil nature. Simon foresees the future when he tells Ralph, "You'll get back to where you came from. The sacrifice of a prophet usually has an influence on some people; for example, Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross is supposed to save Christians. After his contact with the Lord of the Flies, he discovers that the "beast from air" is only a dead parachutist. The boys sacrifice Simon as they would a beast; they think that by killing the beast, they will no longer be fearful. He is innocent at birth, he suffers as he develops, and he will be embraced by everlasting peace after death. Simon learns the beast or evil the boys fear is the evil they are born with.
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