Simon Analysis from Lord of the Flies

Throughout the book, Simon is portrayed as a positive, selfless, caring individual who is constantly the shining beacon of hope and comfort. Simon is very similar to a biblical figure in the way he thinks, through his actions, and his emotions. One of the signs that indicates that Simon possesses similarities to a biblical figure is in chapter 8, page 152, when he is speaking to the Lord of the Flies (the Beast). “…and his gaze was held by that ancient, inescapable recognition…” which could represent the ancient battle between ‘Christ’ or ‘God’ and the Devil; the evil residing within everyone. Also, in that chapter on page 158, it says, “he [Simon] knew his time was coming on… ‘You know perfectly well you’ll only meet me [Lord of the Flies] down there…” which further demonstrates that the Lord of the Flies could be the Devil.
Another instance supporting Simon’s resemblance to a biblical figure is when Simon made the connection between the dead parachutist and the Lord of the Flies. He understood that with the death of the man, reason, order and civilization would be lost, hence chaos and savagery that personifies the Lord of the Flies, would be unleashed and thus controlling the island. When Simon discovered the beast was merely a dead man, he thought to himself, “the beast was harmless and horrible; and the news should reach the others as soon as possible.” (page 162). On his way to tell the boys the news, he was mistaken for the beast and his life was taken, resembling ‘Christ’ giving up his life, for his people.
Also, as any good biblical figure, Simon also respected everyone equally, whether “littuns” or “biguns”, Simon took care of both. “Simon found for them [littluns] fruit they could not reach, pulled off the choicest from up in the foliage, passed them down to the endless, outstretched hands.” (pg 57).
Simon had a moral consciousness that is unique. He also had a heightened perception so he realized that the Beast is not something one can kill because it is merely the evil inside everyone. It is this evil that he is trying to destroy for the good of the boys. An example of that would be when Simon himself says, “‘what I mean is…maybe it’s only us.’…Simon became inarticulate in his efforts to express mankind’s essential illness.” (pg 96). Simon demonstrates traits of a biblical figure, such as ‘Christ’ or ‘God’ though his moral and ethical ways, his endless faith toward the good of mankind, and through his selfless, respectful, caring nature, Simon tried to save the boys.