Simon as the Christ Like Figure in Lord of the Flies | Simon as the Christ Like Figure in Lord of the Flies

The Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, details the story of a group of schoolboys stranded on a deserted tropical island and their struggle between the choice of savagery or civilization. In many novels throughout history, characters often take on characteristics of well known religious, political, or historical figures. In Golding's novel, the character Simon portrays many characteristics similar to those demonstrated by Jesus Christ. There are many biblical parallels in The Lord of the Flies that result in Simon being compared to Jesus Christ.

One reason Simon is regarded as the Christ figure in The Lord of the Flies is that he commits many selfless acts, just as Jesus Christ did. Simon chooses to stay and help Ralph build huts rather than horse play with the other inhabitants. Ralph compliments Simon by saying "Simon. He Helps. All the rest rushed off. He's done as much as I have" (54). Golding also illustrates Simon's generosity when he says "Simon pulled off the choicest from the endless, outstretched hands" (56). Jesus Christ was known to have been very generous and kind to children. Simon's generosity and unselfishness result in him being portrayed as the Christ figure.

Another reason Simon is paralleled to Christ is that he has mystical qualities much like Christ. Many of the things Simon does are either unusual or supernatural. Simon tells Ralph, "I just think you'll get back alright" (111), even though he believes that he, himself, might not get off the island alive. Simon foresees his own death, just like Jesus did. Also, after Jesus died, his body magically disappeared. This account of Jesus' death also has correlation with Simon's death. When Simon is killed and thrown into the water, his body "lifted a fraction of an inch from the sand and a bubble of air escaped from the mouth with a wet plop...Simon's dead body moved out toward the open sea" (154). It can be seen throughout the novel that Simon possesses some of the same mystical attributes that Christ possessed.

Finally, the striking resemblance between Simon's death and Jesus' death result in Simon being labeled the Christ figure in Golding's novel. Jesus was tempted by the devil in the events leading up to his death. Simon is also tempted by the devil, or "The Lord of the Flies." The term "Lord of the Flies" is a direct translation of the name Beelzebub, which means a powerful demon thought to be the devil himself. The Lord of the Flies says to Simon, "What are you doing out here all alone? Aren't you afraid of me? There isn't anyone to help you. Only me. And I'm the Beast" (143). This exchange between Simon and "The Lord of the Flies" closely resembles Jesus' forty days in the desert when he was tempted by the devil to abandon his mission. Jesus' death was followed by a large thunderstorm and solar eclipse. A natural phenomenon also occurred immediately following Simon's death when "the clouds opened and let down the rain like a waterfall" (153). As one can see, the accounts of the two deaths have great similarities which further illustrate Simon's portrayal as a Christ figure in the novel.

For the reasons discussed above, Simon is portrayed as a Christ figure in The Lord of the Flies. First, Simon is generous and kind. Second, he is mysterious. And finally, his death parallels Christ's death. With the many similarities between Simon and Jesus Christ drawn from the novel, one can reasonably say that in some way or another Simon is represented as Christ in The Lord of the Flies.