Annette Cheney
January 9, 2003
English II Honors
Semester Exam Essay #1
>Question: Compare Simon’s death in the Lord of the Flies to Cinna the poet’s death in Julius Caesar. How are they alike and how are they different? Use examples from the books.
The Lord of the Flies and Julius Caesar both contain a futile killing. In The Lord of the Flies, Simon is brutally killed. In Julius Caesar, Cinna the Poet is irrationally slayed. Both these killings are done because of a fervent mob.
When Simon is killed, the scene is very dark and foreboding. It sets a very chilling atmosphere. Before Simon comes out of the forest, Jack makes a speech to the boys. The speech is about how they should get rid of the “beastie” the little ones are scared of. Jack makes a intimidating speech saying that they have to kill it to be able to be free from it. This monologue excites the boys, making them want blood. They start dancing and chanting a war song that is very sadistic. It is at this time that Simon emerges from the forest. Since it is dark, the boys see him and think he is the beast. They run to attack him never realizing it is Simon they have killed because they are so into the killing. Only the day after do they realize what they have done. But by then, Simon has already been brutally killed.