The Heartbreaking Chapter of Simon’s End in ‘Lord of the Flies’
This essay delves into the heart-wrenching chapter of Simon’s death in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies,” specifically in Chapter 9 titled “A View to a Death.” It’s not just a recount of the events leading to this pivotal moment but a deep dive into its symbolism and the dark revelation of human nature it brings to the forefront. The essay paints a vivid picture of the chaotic scene where Simon, the moral compass of the story, meets his tragic end at the hands of his peers. It emphasizes the spontaneous and collective nature of this act, showcasing Golding’s commentary on how quickly civilized behavior can dissolve into savagery. The essay further explores the implications of this event on the novel’s narrative, highlighting how Simon’s death marks a turning point where any remaining semblance of order and decency is shattered, revealing the fragility of societal norms and the ease with which they can be discarded. In essence, it’s an exploration of one of the novel’s darkest moments, offering insights into the themes of inherent human evil and the loss of innocence. PapersOwl offers a variety of free essay examples on the topic of Lord Of The Flies.
Let’s talk about one of the most gut-wrenching moments in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”: the death of Simon in Chapter 9, aptly named “A View to a Death.” This isn’t just another chapter in a book; it’s where the story takes a dark turn and shows us the true colors of human nature when left unchecked.
Picture this: there’s a wild storm brewing, and the boys are caught up in a kind of tribal dance that’s more like a frenzy than any civilized gathering.
Enter Simon, stumbling out of the forest, beaten and weak, with the truth about the ‘beast’ on his lips. But in the chaos, he’s just another shadow, another ‘thing’ to fear. The boys, lost in their own madness, turn on him and, in a horrific moment of hysteria, beat him to death.
This chapter is like a mirror showing the ugly side of humanity. Simon, the quiet, thoughtful one, almost like a Christ figure, is the moral compass the boys so desperately need but tragically ignore. His death isn’t just sad; it’s a wake-up call. It’s Golding shouting through the pages that there’s a beast in all of us, and it doesn’t take much to let it loose.
The way Simon dies is crucial here. It’s not premeditated; it’s spontaneous, a mob mentality kind of thing. It’s as if Golding is saying, “Look how quickly we can turn savage, how easily we toss our morals out the window when we’re scared or hungry for power.” It’s a chilling reminder that civilization is a fragile thing, and it doesn’t take much to break it.
After Simon’s death, everything changes. Any sense of order or decency that was hanging by a thread is now gone. It’s like the boys have crossed a line they can’t come back from. It’s no longer about survival; it’s about power and fear and the darkness that can take over when there are no rules to follow.
In short, Chapter 9 is where “Lord of the Flies” stops being just a story about boys on an island and becomes a story about us, about what happens when the thin veneer of society is stripped away. It’s a hard chapter to read, but it’s also the one that makes you sit up and think about what it means to be human and how easy it is to lose that humanity. Simon’s death is a tragedy, but it’s also a powerful message about the beast within us all.
The Heartbreaking Chapter of Simon's End in 'Lord of the Flies'. (2023, Dec 28). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/the-heartbreaking-chapter-of-simons-end-in-lord-of-the-flies/
