Simon is considered an outcast throughout the novel and is symbolic of a Christ-like figure because of his compassion and ability to understand the true identity of the beast. He is the only boy on the island who realizes that the beast is not a tangible being, but actually the inherent wickedness present in each individual. In Chapter 9, Simon discovers that the beast is a dead paratrooper and decides to travel down the mountain to tell the other boys. While he is climbing down the mountain, Jack and his hunters decided to reenact the killing of the pig and begin their ritual dance. As the group of boys is swept into a frenzy, the sky becomes dark, and a thunderstorm ensues. Ralph and Piggy take part in the exciting ritual as the boys dance in a circle and chant "Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!" (Golding 152). The adrenaline of each member increases to a fever pitch, and they are entirely consumed with terror, energy, and blood-thirst. In the middle of the frenzy, they see a figure emerge from the forest and think it's the beast. The figure emerging from the forest is actually Simon, who they mistake as the beast. They rush towards Simon and begin to beat, rip, tear, and claw him until he is lifeless.
Simon's death represents the complete loss of hope in morality and civility on the island. The boys have committed an atrocious, heinous act by brutally murdering Simon, which is essentially the "point of no return" regarding civility. Simon's death is similar to Christ's in that he is brutally murdered, but Simon dies in vain while Christ died to save humanity. Simon's death not only represents the destruction of morality on the island but also illustrates the depravity of unrestrained human nature. Golding suggests that humans are inherently wicked and without laws, regulations, and restrictions, we are capable of committing horrendous acts of violence without feeling guilty.
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