Piggy Vs Simon: Contrasting Perspectives in “Lord of the Flies”

In William Golding’s book, “Lord of the Flies,” two characters, Piggy and Simon, really stand out. They have different views and roles among the group of boys stranded on the island. These two symbolize different parts of human nature and society.

Piggy is all about intellect and rationality, while Simon stands for goodness and natural morality. By looking at how they interact, what they believe, and what happens to them, we get a better understanding of Golding’s thoughts on human nature and society.

Intellect and Rationality: Piggy’s Role

Piggy is the smart one, always thinking logically and trying to keep things organized. He’s got glasses and is a bit overweight, which makes the other boys pick on him. But even though they tease him, his ideas are super important. His glasses are a big deal; they help start fires, which is crucial for survival. Piggy always talks about rules and keeping the fire going and building shelters. He thinks civilization is key to staying safe and getting rescued.

Piggy believes that sticking to society’s norms is the only way to avoid turning into savages. He insists on following the conch’s rules, which stand for democracy and civilized conversation. Yet, despite his smart ideas, his physical weaknesses make him an easy target for bullying. This shows the struggle between brainpower and physical strength, a theme Golding explores a lot.

Innate Goodness and Natural Morality: Simon’s Role

On the flip side, we have Simon, who is all about natural goodness and moral understanding. Some see him as a Christ-like figure because of his kindness and deep connection to nature. Simon isn’t worried about society’s rules or logical thinking. Instead, he just gets that the boys are slipping into savagery and that there’s darkness in everyone.

Simon likes to be alone, often going into the forest, which shows his search for inner truth. His meeting with the “Lord of the Flies,” a pig’s head on a stick, is a big moment. It reveals a key theme of the book: the evil inside everyone. Simon realizes the “beast” isn’t something external but inside each boy. This understanding, though, leads to his tragic end. When he tries to tell the others, they kill him in a frenzy, showing how tough it is to hold onto moral insight when faced with primal fears.

Contrasting Fates and Their Symbolism

What happens to Piggy and Simon highlights their symbolic roles and the book’s main themes. Piggy dies because Roger kills him, showing that savagery wins over intellect and reason. His death marks the breakdown of civilized order and a plunge into chaos. The conch shattering when Piggy dies symbolizes the end of democratic talk and rational thinking, leaving the boys to their wild instincts.

Simon’s death, however, comes from the boys’ irrational fear. He’s killed during a wild dance, which shows the loss of goodness and moral clarity. The boys don’t see Simon as one of them but as the “beast,” showing how far they’ve fallen morally. His death serves as a grim reminder of how fragile goodness is and how easily it can be crushed by group hysteria and violence.

Conclusion

In “Lord of the Flies,” William Golding uses Piggy and Simon to delve into human nature and the thin line between civilization and chaos. Piggy stands for intellect and rationality, while Simon symbolizes innate goodness and natural morality. Through their actions, beliefs, and fates, Golding critiques the flaws in human nature and the fragility of societal structures. Piggy’s end marks the fall of reason, and Simon’s death shows the vulnerability of moral insight. Together, these characters highlight the book’s dark and thought-provoking take on the human condition.

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