As the boys continue hunting, they develop a savage nature and do not consider the impact that their actions have on others. This is particularly true when Simon is killed in Chapter 9. The boys have been participating in a mock-hunt, and when Simon runs onto the beach in the parachute, the boys do not stop to take in that it is actually Simon. They allow their irrational fears to take over them and label Simon as "the beast." They continue pummeling him with their sticks, never stopping to consider the impact of their actions. Even afterwards, they do not talk about Simon's death, and try to wash away their mistake in silence. Simon's murder marks the boys' loss of innocence--they have allowed their fear and savagery to put them in a
