Lord of the Flies – Simon’s Moral Battle

Simon’s moral battle with the Lord of the Flies
The novel “Lord of the Flies” is a classic book that can be interpreted in various ways. The novel also deals with a multitude of symbolism, and human morals. William Golding has done an excellent job with lord of the flies in the sense of creating a framework of symbols and underlying messages behind the actual, overwhelmingly creative and shocking storyline. Simon’s long, solitary quest represents man’s eternal struggle between humanity and savagery. Simon represents the unsure conscience of mankind when he struggles with the decision of choosing Jack or Ralph. In the beginning of the novel, Simon walks in-between Ralph and Jack, who represent good and evil respectively, as if being posed the question of choice for the first time. “ ‘If Simon walks in the middle of us’ said Ralph, ‘then we could talk over his head’” This proves that Ralph and Jack feels that they are better than Simon, and are higher than him, so by looking over his head, he is inferior, smaller and weaker. Simon also had to do a double step for each of their steps, another depiction of the inferiority that Simon suffers from.

Simon accepts that Ralph is the chief, and is happy with the decision. Simon even asks Ralph to exercise his power as chief, therefore content that he possesses it and not the rash, unorganized Jack. “Simon poked his head out carefully. ‘You’re chief. You tell em off’”. Simon does not fully emerge from the partially completed hut, as if afraid to interfere with the business of the leaders. Simon is becoming paranoid, as he slowly turns towards the evil ways of Jack. “Simon paused. He looked over his shoulder as Jack had done at the close ways behind him and glanced swiftly round to confirm that he was utterly alone. “Simon is becoming paranoid, because he does not fear the beast, but rather Jack and Ralph, not knowing which to choose yet. Simon’s discussion with the Lord of the Flies represents mankind’s ability to find enlightenment within itself.

Soon after discussing his pointless existence with the Lord of the Flies, Simon realizes that he is not real, but continues to converse with the bloody head. “Simon’s mouth labored brought forth audible words.’ Pig’s head on a stick’.” The pig then admits that the beast is a part of Simon, that running away is futile and fruitless, because Simon will never be able to run away from himself, so he stays in an attempt to deal with his inner demons once and for all. The lord of the flies calls Simon a silly boy because Simon is really just a little child. “This has gone quite far enough. My poor, misguided child, do you think you know better than I do?” The last sentence is quite ironic within itself because the LotF is part of Simon, so in reality, he couldn’t possibly know better. Simon then realizes that he is simply a little boy caught up in a battle he doesn’t want to be part of. He has been misguided by everyone, for the reason that he doesn’t know what is good for him.

At the conclusion of their twisted and pensive conversation, Simon can no longer endure the heavyhearted words of the pig, and loses consciousness. “Simon was inside the mouth. He fell down and lost consciousness.” Simon faints because he is overwhelmed by the reality of evil that he suddenly realizes. Simon’s death represents mankind’s futile quest in finding balance between good and evil (however only 1 can win) When Simon emerges from the jungle to rejoin his friends, Simon is brutally slaughtered Even though they all knew it was not the beast like Jack had said, but a young, innocent boy who is tired and thirsty, they did not hesitate to end his short life abruptly. “A thing was crawling out of the forest. T came darkly uncertainly.

The shrill screaming that rose before the beast was like a pain.” After Simon’s death, no one was willing to discuss his death, because they all knew it wasn’t an accident, not even piggy want to admit it. Ralph was the only one who spoke out, the only true good person on the island, and was told to keep it to himself by the intellectual piggy. Perhaps the tribe like boys would not have killed the acquitted Simon if it was broad daylight, and they weren’t partaking in their blood hungry ritual dance and chant. The chant and dance have their own effects on the children. The chant prepares their minds for killing.

By repeating over and over “’Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!’” they accept that blood will be spilled and death is inevitable at their hands. While the dance, prepares their bodies for the fight that will surely ensue. Their hearts beat, their muscles are stretched and prepared to exert themselves at high levels of endurance. Together, the dance and the chant prepare their mind, body and spirit to chase, hunt, and eventually kill anything. When under the effects of this feverous ritual, their minds are not prepared to think logically, but have switched to the animal side of the brain; therefore killing Simon was just in their eyes, for they had to kill something. But this is how evil works, what is just in the eyes of evil, is absolutely forbidden in the eyes of good.