Simon in Lord of the Flies
Simon is small and skinny with a pointed chin. He has black hair, bright eyes and tans easily. He is considered strange or odd by the others as he is rather shy and secretive. He has a habit of going off on his own which sets him apart and he is also not physically strong.
When we first see Simon he has fainted, which draws disdain from Jack. Golding hints that Simon may have epilepsy which makes him different from the other boys. Simon does, however, show bravery when he goes to look for the Beast. Simon is the only one of the boys who can really see what is going on and that they are being driven by the evil which is inside themselves.
| How is Simon like this? | Evidence | Analysis | |
| Solitary | Simon frequently goes off on his own to a private place on the island. Here he can think things through and come to reasoned conclusions. The other boys find this odd. | He went on among the creepers until he reached the great mat that was woven by the open space and crawled inside. Beyond the screen of leaves the sunlight pelted down and the butterflies danced in the middle their unending dance. | Simon has gone to his secret place but on this occasion it seems much less comfortable and more threatening. The sun is extremely hot and almost seems to be a weapon attacking him ('pelted' is usually a word associated with heavy rain). |
| Considerate | Simon shows concern for others and helps those less able than himself. For instance he is the only one who really helps Ralph with building the shelters and he makes sure the younger boys are kept fed. | Simon found for them the fruit they could not reach, pulled off the choicest from up in the foliage, passed them back down to the endless, outstretched hands. When he had satisfied them he paused and looked round. The littluns watched him inscrutably over double handfuls of ripe fruit. | Although there is some food already available, Simon wants to make sure that the younger boys are properly cared for. So he pauses in his journey into the jungle to gather fruit for them. He makes sure that they are all fed well ('double handfuls') and that they get the best fruit available ('choicest'). |
| Perceptive | It is Simon that realises there is nothing to fear but each other and themselves. He understands that the beast is not real. | Simon's mouth laboured, brought forth audible words. "Pig's head on a stick." "Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!" said the head… "You knew didn't you? I'm part of you?..." | It is Simon who creates the phrase 'Lord of the Flies' which is what he names the pig's head given as an offering to the Beast. |
| Solitary | |
|---|---|
| How is Simon like this? | Simon frequently goes off on his own to a private place on the island. Here he can think things through and come to reasoned conclusions. The other boys find this odd. |
| Evidence | He went on among the creepers until he reached the great mat that was woven by the open space and crawled inside. Beyond the screen of leaves the sunlight pelted down and the butterflies danced in the middle their unending dance. |
| Analysis | Simon has gone to his secret place but on this occasion it seems much less comfortable and more threatening. The sun is extremely hot and almost seems to be a weapon attacking him ('pelted' is usually a word associated with heavy rain). |
| Considerate | |
|---|---|
| How is Simon like this? | Simon shows concern for others and helps those less able than himself. For instance he is the only one who really helps Ralph with building the shelters and he makes sure the younger boys are kept fed. |
| Evidence | Simon found for them the fruit they could not reach, pulled off the choicest from up in the foliage, passed them back down to the endless, outstretched hands. When he had satisfied them he paused and looked round. The littluns watched him inscrutably over double handfuls of ripe fruit. |
| Analysis | Although there is some food already available, Simon wants to make sure that the younger boys are properly cared for. So he pauses in his journey into the jungle to gather fruit for them. He makes sure that they are all fed well ('double handfuls') and that they get the best fruit available ('choicest'). |
| Perceptive | |
|---|---|
| How is Simon like this? | It is Simon that realises there is nothing to fear but each other and themselves. He understands that the beast is not real. |
| Evidence | Simon's mouth laboured, brought forth audible words. "Pig's head on a stick." "Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!" said the head… "You knew didn't you? I'm part of you?..." |
| Analysis | It is Simon who creates the phrase 'Lord of the Flies' which is what he names the pig's head given as an offering to the Beast. |