“ The clouds drifted away.”
This phrase alone slows the pace a great deal by the use of the word ‘drifted’ as the sound of this word is soft and unhurried aiding the reader to create a picture of the clouds clearing gently purifying the skies and possibly the boys.
At the end of the passage Simons’ body is taken from the island of terror into the sea. This is a very tranquil and emotional part of the passage ending the chapter after a very cathartic and exciting chapter.
“Softly, surrounded by a fringe of inquisitive creatures, itself a silver shape.”
In this sentence Golding has created a mystical feel for the reader by the use of the letter ‘S’. The sound of this letter can create different moods as it is soft and is almost like a whisper making the passage mystical and calm. The sound could also helps the reader imaging the sound of the sea lapping the shore. The sound of the letter ‘S’ can also be associated with silence.
Simons death is very symbolic and Golding portrays this very well The mood of the passage is represented by the mood and temperament of the weather. During the murder of Simon the wind is fierce and the rain ‘like a waterfall’ this adds to the pace of the passage and the brutality of the murder. Once Simon is dead the change in weather is very dramatic the raging wind and pouring rain ceases almost as a sign of respect. The global elements create a vision of beauty, which is relevant, as the character of Simon appreciated beauty and nature a great deal. Golding has described the element not just as they are in simple form for example stars he has taken it further.
“Incredible lamps of stars.”
Here Golding has described the stars as incredible to enlarge their significance and make the passage beautiful for the reader.
In this passage the rain ceases and the island is still, this symbolises the death of Simon and here Golding is perhaps trying to show the Global elements respect for Simons death, it is much like a silence for mourning and sign of respect.
Towards the end of the passage it becomes very moving and symbolic, as Simon is dressed in a silver lining and could almost be seen as a work of art, a thing of beauty. Golding has achieved this by the use of words.
“”The line of his cheek silvered and the turn of his shoulder became sculptured marble”
The word silver conjures up an image of magic, fairies and beauty and the way Golding has described Simons body as sculptured marble takes away the horrific image of his death and torn flesh, clawed skin and replaces it with a elegance.
This section of the passage is very symbolic and can be interpreted in different ways perhaps Goldings intentions were to represent Simons soul entering another realm and being accepted to another world perhaps to god. The way he is described creates the thought of angels and the spiritual world.
Golding has achieved this throughout the whole passage by his use of poetic language, but the last sentence symbolises Simon leaving the island both physically and spiritually.
“Simons dead body moved out outwards the open sea.”
Here this symbolises the final departing of Simon from the island being taken away by the tide.
In chapter two when the small boy with the red mark on his face is killed it goes by almost unnoticed although the last sentence gives a rather sinister impression.
“The drum-roll continued”
This is a menacing sentence and could perhaps be the beginning of everything that goes wrong, an omen, the island damned by death.
Simon has been portrayed as a very spiritual and perhaps religious boy and his death could be closely compared to the death of Christ, Simon came to save the boys, warn them of the beast and was killed by the people he was trying to save. Whether this was Golding’s intention or not Simon’s death is a very significant and symbolic part of the novel. Perhaps Simon was dies for the boys to rescue them, from their sins, perhaps the boys will change their ways. Or perhaps Simon died in vain.
