Sunday, February 5, 2012

What does the imagery surrounding Simon's death imply about good and evil?

In Chapter 9, Simon becomes the victim of an attack from Jack's frenzied, manic group of boys who mistake him for the beast. Simon's lifeless body lays on the sand while the dead paratrooper's body flies from the top of the mountain toward the beach. Golding describes how the tide swells and covers everything with a "layer of silver," depicting Simon's hair as having bright features. Golding writes that Simon's shoulders "became sculpted marble." (Golding 154) Simon's body is carried to sea by the tide and surrounded by illuminating sea creatures that create the image of a halo around his body. The imagery used in this text suggests that good ultimately triumphs over evil. Silver, which is a precious metal, and marble are long-lasting, valuable materials that Golding uses to describe Simon's body. Simon, who is a morally upright, understanding individual is depicted as a Christ figure throughout the novel. The imagery illustrating the illuminating sea creatures carrying his body to sea in a peaceful manner suggests a positive afterlife for Simon. The paratrooper's flight parallels Satan's rise to power after a Christ's death on the cross. Similar to Jesus Christ, who experiences death before his ultimate victory, Simon brutal death is followed by a serene journey out to sea that symbolizes his everlasting life.

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