Character: Simon

Basic Profile

Simon is one of the boys stranded on the island and represents a certain purity and natural goodness seen less in the other characters.
With his fainting spells, Simon is often portrayed as a weak character physically, but he is one of the strongest mentally and morally.

Simon often retreats to an area in the jungle, a place of natural peace and beauty, which contrasts with the escalating savagery of the other boys.
He is the only character who recognises that the ‘beast’ is within them, stating, “maybe it’s only us”.
Simon’s conversation with the Lord of the Flies (the sow’s head on a stake) symbolises his encounter with the inherent evil inside all humans, often considered as an allegory of Jesus’ temptation in the desert.
After his conversation with the Lord of the Flies, Simon tries to bring the truth to the other boys. However, in his weakened state and unable to articulate clearly, he is mistaken for the beast and brutally murdered, a sacrificial death reminiscent of Christlike martyrdom.

Simon symbolises resilience and insight into human nature; he is the only one to understand the true nature of the beast and the fact that it’s not an external force, but resides within each of them.
His character serves as Golding’s mouthpiece, voicing the author’s profound pessimism about human nature.
Simon’s affinity with nature parallels the Garden of Eden, with the ‘beast’ echoing the Serpent, representing the inherent evil that can corrupt innocence.

Although he is kind and compassionate towards Piggy and the littluns, Simon mostly tends to keep to himself and acts independently.
Simon shares a certain level of respect and understanding with Ralph; however, his spiritual insight is something Ralph can’t fully understand or appreciate.
The savagery of the other boys proves fatal for Simon due to his inability to adapt to their primal transformation.

Simon is the embodiment of innocence, wisdom, and insight in the midst of chaos, embodying the moral anchor in Golding’s bleak view of humanity. His tragic end serves as the final breakdown of civilisation and underlines the real human struggle against the inner beast.