The characterof Simon appears different from the other boys in many ways. What effect doesthis give, and why has Golding used such a character for a contribution to thenovel as a whole? Use a study of character to justify your response, andclosely ...

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The character of Simon appears different from the other boys in many ways. What effect does this give, and why has Golding used such a character for a contribution to the novel as a whole? Use a study of character to justify your response, and closely analyze one passage describing Simon.

The novel ‘Lord of the Flies’, written in the early 1950’s is an allegorical, adventure story; a castaway story about the loss of innocence. Within this novel William Golding presents many ideas and themes on levels which require a depth of consideration, but which can also be interpreted in different ways by all.

The main theme Golding puts forward is the idea the book is based around. The island is a microcosm of the world, and so the behaviour in which the boys partake represents that of society. Therefore, the degeneration of civilization which occurs, shows that society holds everyone together, without the restraints and rules of society, man loses sense of right and wrong, and anarchy and savagery can come to light. The beast within will slowly but surely reveal itself, when there is nothing to hold it back, leading to a return to primal states, ultimately resulting in afore said savagery. The novel shows that it is Golding’s belief that the human impulse is not as deeply rooted to civilization, as it is to savagery.

The novel shows our morals come directly from our surroundings, and the boys’ behaviour justifies this as their surroundings are changed.

Most of the boys do encounter these changes, except for one. Simon. He stands on an entirely different plane from the rest of the boys. Although he is younger than Jack, Ralph and Piggy, he is good, pure and has the most positive outlook. He is insistent that even in the worst of situations, they will be rescued, even when the likes of Ralph are doubting the odds. Simon seems to have a spiritual human goodness which is deeply connected with nature. He is kind to the younger children, and sees the good within all. He is the first, and perhaps the only one to realize that the beast on the island is not in the physical form, but the evil which lurks within all human beings, - ‘“What I mean is …maybe it’s only us”’….. ‘Simon became inarticulate in his effort to express mankind’s essential illness’.  Where there is such evil on the island, Simon represents the contrary idea. Perhaps this is why his murder is so brutal, and in the hands of the other boys, whilst they are in the process of degeneration.

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There seems to be a very clear parallel between ‘Lord of the Flies’ and the Bible. The island itself is very similar to the Garden of Eden. This is emphasized when Simon goes out into the forest, picking berries and such. The island began as a heaven; Golding uses phrases such as ‘shimmering water’, ‘white surf flinked on a coral reef’ and ‘dazzling beach’, describing the island in such a positive way; it is an untouched pristine haven when the boys arrive. However, alike to the Garden of Eden, the paradise is ruined by the introduction of evil. The ...

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