The Rise and Demise of Social Integrity
A biblical prophet has the duties of keeping the society in which they occupy stable, calm and peaceful. They are people who remain serene in times of darkness and despair. In The Lord of Flies, written by William Golding, this “prophet” took the name of Simon. Simon single handedly discovers that the jungle, a symbolism of darkness and lack of civilization is something not to be feared but to be understood and used in an uplifting way. In this book, Golding uses Simon spiritually to show the little good in society but that it is broken down in the end.
From the beginning Simon was a calm and collective boy, he was an observer. He tried to help wherever he could, he defended Piggy when Jack accused him of not contributing and just sitting around during the meeting on top of the mountain (Golding 42). Ralph is someone who notices how much help Simon is. In a heated argument with Jack, Ralph says that Simon helps, and that, “He’s done as much as I have” (Golding 54). Apart from Ralph, the littluns also notice Simon as a leader and a helping hand. On his journey through the forest, with the littluns trailing behind him, he picks fruit for the littluns and satisfies all of them. Much like a Christ-figure he helps them by choice, unlike the other boys who wouldn’t help at all. Also, this proves him as an example of good integrity, in a spiritual manner. He becomes more independent throughout the novel, starting with his trip through the forest alone. He comes across a secluded, peaceful location where there was an abundant amount of sunshine and butterflies danced.
He sat on a mat made of creepers and spent his time listening, and thinking about the sounds of the island (Golding 57). This place resembles a church, from the calm environment to the person who inhabits it, Simon. According to Arnold Kruger, Simon in The Lord of the Flies is an analogue of Christ. His holy, saintly self-sacrificial behavior is an exemplar of...