Lord of the Flies Analysis (Simon)

         In the book Lord of the flies, Golding uses imagery to emphasize the growth of Simon from his helpful self and his transformation into a mysterious prophet figure through his interactions with the Lord of the Flies. On the beach, when Ralph and Piggy conversed about their situation, Ralph acknowledges that Simon had “done as much as [he had]” while “all the rest [had] rushed off” (54). Simon has worked diligently for the sake of the order that had been created on the island. He was “always about” (55) by either helping build the shelters or help pick fruit for the younger kids. Although he is a helpful assistant, Simon, mysteriously, is noted to be alone in a secret canopy during the night: “Simon dropped the screen of leaves into place… The candle-buds stirred… The white tips of the flowers rose delicately to meet the open air” (57). During this time, Simon has frequently visited this spot, which is described with luscious dream-like aspect. His reputation changes slightly because he is alone in the forest by himself when none of the other boys are willing to venture into the forest at night. His character developed and drastically changed when he walked up the mountain and talked to the Lord of the Flies: “ ‘You don’t want Ralph to think you’re batty,’ … ‘There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me,’ ” (143). His illusionary conversation with the Lord of the Flies assists him in reaching a final conclusion about the beast. He becomes a prophet figure in the sense that he could have released the fear of the beast from the boys, yet in the moment he is brutally murdered “on [his] knees in the center, [his] arms folded over [his] face” (152). Most interestingly is the way Simon is taken out to sea: “The water rose farther and dressed Simon’s coarse hair with brightness” (154). A halo was formed by the phosphorescence around Simon’s head giving him a prophet or godly image. It is as if the boys had lost the symbol to free themselves from their imaginary terror. Simon has not changed drastically from the start of the novel but his meaning throughout the story does change from a helpful assistant to prophet figure.