In William Golding’s chilling novel, Lord of the Flies, the character of Simon emerges as a figure of profound insight and inherent goodness amidst the descent into savagery. However, Simon is not merely a passive observer; he grapples with a multitude of challenges that stem from his unique nature and the increasingly brutal environment of the island. These challenges, ranging from physical vulnerabilities to social alienation and the burden of profound understanding, ultimately contribute to his tragic fate and highlight some of the novel’s most poignant themes.
Physical Vulnerability and Potential Illness
From the outset, Simon is presented as physically delicate. During the initial assembly, he faints in the heat, an incident that Jack Merridew dismisses but hints at a recurring condition. Golding writes, “one of the boys flopped on his face in the sand and the line broke up.” Merridew’s dismissive comment, “He’s always throwing a faint,” suggests this isn’t an isolated incident. This detail, interpreted through a modern lens, strongly suggests Simon may be suffering from epilepsy or a similar condition characterized by sudden episodes.
This potential health issue presents a significant physical challenge in the harsh environment of the deserted island. Without proper medical attention or even adequate rest, Simon’s vulnerability to fainting or seizures would be exacerbated. The text further supports this interpretation when Simon experiences sensory disturbances in the forest: “For a moment or two Simon was happy to be accepted and then he ceased to think about himself. When he bashed into a tree Ralph looked sideways and Robert sniggered. Simon reeled and a white spot on his forehead turned red and trickled.” This description of disorientation and physical instability aligns with symptoms associated with epilepsy and demonstrates a clear physical challenge Simon must contend with.
Later, during his pivotal encounter with the Lord of the Flies, the text explicitly mentions a physical manifestation accompanying his vision: “the Lord of the Flies hung on his stick and grinned. […] In Simon’s right temple, a pulse began to beat on the brain.” This physiological detail further strengthens the interpretation of a neurological condition and underscores the physical challenges Simon faces, which are not merely weaknesses but potentially symptoms of an underlying illness.
Social Isolation and Misunderstanding
Beyond physical frailties, Simon is profoundly challenged by his social standing and the boys’ inability to understand him. He is an outsider, perceived as “queer,” “funny,” and “cracked” by Ralph, Jack, and Piggy respectively. Ralph’s statement, “you’re batty,” and Piggy’s dismissal, “he’s cracked,” highlight the general lack of understanding and acceptance Simon faces from the group’s leaders. His quiet, introspective nature and tendency towards solitude set him apart from the more overtly assertive and pragmatic boys.
Simon’s attempts to articulate his understanding of the “beast” are consistently met with ridicule and laughter. When he suggests, “maybe it’s only us,” voicing the profound idea that the beast is inherent human evil, he is met with derision. The boys are unable to grasp his abstract thought, preferring the tangible fear of a monster to confront the unsettling truth about themselves. This social isolation and lack of intellectual connection are significant challenges, leaving Simon without support or validation for his insightful perspectives.
His inherent goodness and selfless acts are also often overlooked or misinterpreted. Simon’s kindness, such as giving Piggy his share of meat and helping Ralph with the shelters, is rarely reciprocated and sometimes even provokes negative reactions, like Jack’s vexation. This lack of social reciprocity and the constant feeling of being misunderstood create a significant emotional burden for Simon, further isolating him within the group.
The Burden of Insight and Truth
Perhaps the most significant challenge Simon faces is the burden of his unique insight into the true nature of the “beast.” Unlike the other boys who externalize their fear into a tangible monster, Simon intuitively understands that the beast is not an external entity but rather something within themselves – the inherent savagery of human nature. As the narrative voice states, “his eyes were dim with the infinite cynicism of adult life,” highlighting Simon’s mature and unsettling understanding of human evil.
His encounter with the Lord of the Flies is a pivotal moment where this insight is confirmed. The pig’s head on a stick, the Lord of the Flies, speaks to Simon, revealing the truth: “Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! […] You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you?” This terrifying epiphany confirms Simon’s deepest fears and burdens him with a knowledge that is both profound and isolating. He understands the darkness within the boys and the futility of their attempts to impose order through hunting and violence.
This burden of truth is a tremendous challenge because Simon is unable to effectively communicate it to the other boys. His attempts to share his understanding are misinterpreted as madness or further evidence of his strangeness. The boys are not ready to confront the darkness within themselves, and Simon’s insight, meant to enlighten and save them, becomes another source of his alienation and ultimately contributes to his tragic demise. He descends from the mountain to share the truth about the “beast,” but is tragically killed in the frenzy of their savage ritual, mistaken for the very beast he sought to demystify.
Conclusion
Simon’s journey in Lord of the Flies is marked by a series of profound challenges. His physical vulnerabilities, social isolation, and the heavy burden of his insightful understanding of human nature all contribute to his tragic fate. He is a figure who embodies goodness and truth, but in the brutal and descending world of the island, these very qualities become challenges that he cannot overcome. Simon’s story serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of innocence and the devastating consequences of unchecked savagery, making his challenges central to the novel’s enduring and disturbing message about human nature.
