Simon Lord Of The Flies Analysis

Despite the sinful acts that the boys commit during their occupation of the paradise, Simon, whom Golding characterizes as a Christ-like figure, manages to remain pure of the others’ evil nature. Simon attempts to convince the others of the virtues of Christianity, only to fail as a result of the impulsive, essentially fallen nature of mankind. As the others become terrified because a beast might come out of the water, Simon tries to explain

“'Shut up!' Ralph shouted. 'Hear him! He’s got the conch!’... ‘We could be sort of… ' Simon became inarticulate in his effort to express mankind’s essential illness. Inspiration came to him. 'What’s the dirtiest thing there is?' As an answer Jack dropped into the uncomprehending silence that followed it the one crude expressive syllable… The hunters were screaming with delight. Simon’s effort fell about him in ruins; the laughter beat him cruelly and he shrank away defenceless to his seat.” (Golding 89)

Simon represents the Christ-like figure,

Golding wishes to demonstrate that the goodness that both figures have in their natures, unlike the intrinsic evil of the rest. Lastly, Simon faces temptation and becomes enlightened, “‘You are a silly little boy,’ said the Lord of the Flies… ‘You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why thing are what they are?’” (Golding 143) Simon faces the beast to attain the truth of its existence, much like how Jesus faces temptation in the desert against Satan for forty days. Through confronting the beast, Simon attains enlightenment, and discovers that the beast on the mountain is really a dead soldier. Simon’s insight reveals his divinity because he isn’t terrified of the beast unlike the rest of the boys. This mystic Simon possesses wisdom, and is free of the fear and sin that enslaves the others. Jesus also faces temptation in