Amy3

       Lord of the Flies is William Golding�s result of post-war stress. This novel tells the story of a group of boys who are stranded on a deserted island. The boys struggle for survival as their society is destroyed. One theme of this novel is good versus evil. Golding uses symbolism to emphasize how often evil overcomes the good. One symbol he uses is Simon as a Christ-like figure.
        Simon�s actions while on the island illustrate his role as a Christ-like figure. For instance, on more than one occasion he is seen picking berries fro the littluns. �Simon found fruit for them they could not reach, pulled off the choicest from up in the foliage� (Golding 50). This shows his passion for children, just as in Biblical time, Jesus often stated the importance of children. He is also the one who shares his food with Piggy when the other will not. The bible says repeatedly that part of Jesus� character was sharing with others what little he had. Simon is part of the group of boys who build shelter during the first days on the island. In comparison, Jesus was a carpenter as well. Simon is willing to do whatever he can to help. Especially when building the huts. His willingness to help is shown on many occasions. Piggy says it best when he says �Simon. He helps� (Golding 49) Often Simon is seen wandering by himself around the island. Like Jesus, during the time on Earth, was often alone wandering through the desert or wilderness.
         Just as Christ is viewed as being a knowledgeable person, Simon has an intense knowledge for a boy of such young age. For example, He knows upon arriving on the island that he will not make it of. This is supported by a conversation with Ralph in which he sates �All the same. You�ll get back alright, I think so anyway� (Golding 103). Notice that he sates that Ralph will get back, never mentioning his own ate. Simon also has a deep understanding of fear and its role in the life of the boys. He does no fear things that frighten the other boys. This is shown in the beast, who the other boys fear. Simon is not afraid of it; nor does he fear the jungle, which the other boys fear, especially at night. Simon�s lack of fear is Christ-like in that in order to be free of this he possesses a knowledge the other boys do not.
        The last, and perhaps most undeniably illustrated way Simon symbolizes Christ, is through his death. Before his death he is off by himself on the mountain; where as Jesus was by himself meditating before his own crucifixion. Furthermore, Simon discovers the beast only being a parachutist, and cuts him from his parachute, right before his death.

�he examined the white nasal bones, the teeth, colors of
   corruption�canvas held together the poor body that should be rotting
   away�Simon knelt on all fours�then he took the lines in his hands;
   he freed them from the rocks and the figure from the winds indignity
   �he turned to the poor and broken thing that sat stinking by his side
   The beast was harmless and horrible; and the news must reach the
   Others as soon as possible. (Golding 135-136)

      This quote illustrates many important factors of why Simon is a Christ-like figure. First of all, when he discovers the beast only being a parachutist he holds the knowledge, or a truth, that the others did not. Such is the case in Jesus� Death. Jesus knows he is the Son of God, however, that is knwnown to those who crucified him. Secondly, before Simon leaves he takes a moment to cut the parachutist, although already dead, from his lines. This is Christ-like because it symbolizes Jesus purpose on the Earth, which was to relieve us from our sins. The third point that this paragraph illustrates is that Simon�s thought while faced with the beast, was to tell the others of what he found. This shows Christ-like features because on many occasions Jesus told his disciples to spread the word, to go and tell people of the news that he delivered to them. Simon, trying to tell the good news, was mistaken fort he beast and killed. In comparison, Jesus was mistaken for someone evil. He was crucified.