In Lord of the Flies, William Golding states the theme as, "... an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature" (Golding 204). When a plane crashes and leaves a group of young boys alone on a desert island, chaos breaks loose. Without the structures of society, the savageness and wildness of human nature prevails on the island and two boys are killed. Golding portrays Simon, the first boy to be killed, as a symbol of a Christ-figure.
             The symbolism of Simon as a Christ-figure is shown in Simon's positive attitude and in the way Simon sees the good in every situation. When Ralph feels like he will not ever get home, Simon tells him, "I just think you'll get back all right" (111). In this statement, Simon tries to cheer Ralph and lift his spirits; the statement also foreshadows Simon's death. Simon upholds peace and harmony by encouraging Ralph to remain chief although Ralph feels like giving up. Ralph becomes despondent at times, but Simon's goodness brightens the darkness of confusion. Even amidst the confusion and turmoil of landing on a desert island, Simon sees the goodness and beauty surrounding them. He refers to the bushes as being "Like candles. Candle bushes. Candle buds" (30).
             In addition to Simon's goodness and appreciation for beauty, the consistently expressed concern for the more vulnerable boys portrays Simon as a Christ-like figure. Simon feels passionately about helping the boys. For example, in helping Piggy find his glasses, "Passions beat about Simon on the mountain-top with awful wings" (71). Besides expressing concern for Piggy, Simon also helps the littluns by picking fruit for them that they are unable to reach. When Simon is concerned about the other boys, he is not afraid. He does not have any fear of the beast on the mountaintop; he goes to confront it. Simon is also not afraid to walk ...