What do you think is Simon’s importance in the novel and how does Golding represent him?
Simon’s importance in the novel is that he is like a conscience for the boys which is much needed as the characters have crashed into a world where laws and moral direction ceases to exist. He is regarded as a conscience, especially to Jack, who considers him as a ‘seeming presence’ even though he is elsewhere. The boys realise that Simon is different to them and sense it. There is a theory that implies that this is so because while Simon is inherently good, the others have a tolerance and a liking towards violence and evil.
Simon is viewed as inherently good and always strives to help others on the island, whilst the others are having fun. We know because Ralph says “Simon. He helps…All the rest rushed off. He’s done as much as I have”. The reason Simon is so selfless …show more content…
Golding makes it clear how much Simon loves and is at one with all nature, whilst others in their descent into savagery, destroy the natural and Edenic paradise they inhabit. Furthermore, to show how Simon was close to nature, even at the time of his death, nature nurtures him at the end of chapter nine: “The water rose further and dressed Simon’s coarse hair with brightness. The line of his cheek silvered and the turn of his shoulder became sculptured marble”.
Simon’s death in the novel is a major turning point, as before then the boys had succeeded in killing only pigs and although it was an “accidental” death, the boys realise that they are perfectly capable of murder. Simon’s death could be linked once more to the death of Christ in the book who was killed amid telling people the truth. It also symbolises complete degeneration from civilisation to
Simon’s importance in the novel is that he is like a conscience for the boys which is much needed as the characters have crashed into a world where laws and moral direction ceases to exist. He is regarded as a conscience, especially to Jack, who considers him as a ‘seeming presence’ even though he is elsewhere. The boys realise that Simon is different to them and sense it. There is a theory that implies that this is so because while Simon is inherently good, the others have a tolerance and a liking towards violence and evil.
Simon is viewed as inherently good and always strives to help others on the island, whilst the others are having fun. We know because Ralph says “Simon. He helps…All the rest rushed off. He’s done as much as I have”. The reason Simon is so selfless …show more content…
Golding makes it clear how much Simon loves and is at one with all nature, whilst others in their descent into savagery, destroy the natural and Edenic paradise they inhabit. Furthermore, to show how Simon was close to nature, even at the time of his death, nature nurtures him at the end of chapter nine: “The water rose further and dressed Simon’s coarse hair with brightness. The line of his cheek silvered and the turn of his shoulder became sculptured marble”.
Simon’s death in the novel is a major turning point, as before then the boys had succeeded in killing only pigs and although it was an “accidental” death, the boys realise that they are perfectly capable of murder. Simon’s death could be linked once more to the death of Christ in the book who was killed amid telling people the truth. It also symbolises complete degeneration from civilisation to