Lord Of The Flies

Simon: The All-Knowing

Throughout the novel Simon is insightful, sincere, and steadfast, but these three traits ultimately lead to his demise. Being a steadfast and insightful character, Simon is the foreshadowing object in William Golding's plot. Golding uses Simon as the foreshadowing object throughout the novel, this is done by casting Simon as the main point of interest at many turning points throughout the novel. The first to mention the beast being within the boys themselves was voiced by Simon. This also leads to the scene in the glade, with the Lord of the Flies.

The glade is considered a sacred area for Simon. He goes there numerous times throughout the novel to be alone with his thoughts. In the first scene the glade is very peaceful and it symbolizes purity and innocence. However, the last scene in the glade is one of blatant savagery. "Even if he shut his eyes the sow's head still remained like an after-image"(pg. 137), the sow's head disturbed Simon's thoughts. This is a foreshadowing event, as well as the climax of the plot. This scene foreshadowed Simon's death by the description of him, " Simon's body was arched and stiff" (pg. 143). The descriptions of Simon are very related to one's appearance at the time of death.

The Lord of the Flies confirms Simon's assumption of the beast being inside of each boy "You knew didn't you? Close, close, close!"(pg. 143) Lord of the Flies mocks Simon's knowledge of the beast being inside of every boy. Every time Simon mentions "the beast" in the novel, the others mock him as well. Everyone believes that Simon is "batty." After Simon disappears the first time to visit the glade, Ralph describes him in these words "He's queer. He's funny"(pg. 55). Although the other boys mock him, Simon is in reality the most insightful of all of Golding's characters.

Although the older boys