Simon in the Lord of the Flies
Simon the Martyr Simon in the book The Lord of the Flies by William Golding is the representative for a spiritual leader whom is ignored. Simon portrays many characteristics similar to those demonstrated by Jesus Christ. The accounts of their two deaths have great similarities which further prove Simon's portrayal as a Christ figure in the novel. Throughout the book, with the use of acts of selflessness, scenes parallel with the Bible, and the similar deaths of many martyrs Simon is shown to be the last amount of hope on the island. One reason Simon is regarded as the Christ figure in The Lord of the Flies is that he commits many selfless acts, just as Jesus Christ did. Simon chooses to stay and help Ralph build huts rather than horse play with the other kids. Ralph compliments Simon by saying "Simon. He Helps. All the rest rushed off. He's done as much as I have" (Golding 54). Golding also illustrates Simon's generosity when he says "Simon pulled off the choicest from the endless, outstretched hands" (Golding 56). Jesus Christ was known to have been very generous and kind to children. Simon's generosity and unselfishness result in him being portrayed as the Christ figure. Another reason Simon is compared to Jesus is that he has mystical qualities much like Christ. Many of the things Simon does are either unusual or supernatural. Simon tells Ralph, "I just think you'll get back alright" (Golding 111), even though he believes that he, himself, might not get off the island alive. Simon foresees his own death, just like Jesus did. Also, after Jesus died, his body magically disappeared. This account of Jesus' death also has some similarity with Simon's death. When Simon is killed and thrown into the water, his body "lifted a fraction of an inch from the sand and a bubble of air escaped from the mouth with a wet plop...Simon's dead body moved out toward the open sea" (Golding 154). It can be seen throughout the novel that Simon possesses some of the same