Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, a novel by Becky Albertalli.
In the novel ‘Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda’ by Becky Albertalli. Simon finds a user through tumblr that helps him go through being gay. A fellow schoolmate, finds out about Simon’s true identity and Simon gets blackmailed. Simon is also having difficulties coming out to his family and friends.
The theme I have chosen for this personal response is Identity. This relates to people in society today as a lot of them don’t know their identity or are unsure of it, being sexually or culturally. Identity is shown in the novel by Simon’s sexual identity and his “coming out” stage. “Do you ever feel locked into yourself? I’m not sure if I’m making sense here. I guess what I mean is
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Being homosexual is legal in some parts of the world but is still not 100% accepted in society, this makes coming out for teens hard, as it can result in bullying, mocking and even blackmailing. It was wrong of Marty to blackmail Simon and use him for his own benefits, and Simon shouldn’t be afraid to come out to his family and friends. This shows that people can take advantage of other people and people shouldn’t be afraid to be themselves. “Straight people should have to come out, and the more awkward it is, the better”. Even in a well developed society, people see coming out a very frightening stage and this happens all over the world to people who are not heterosexual. Though it may be legal, not everyone in society accepts it which leads to bullying and mocking in some stages. “But I'm tired of coming out. All I ever do is come out. I try not to change, but I keep changing, in all these tiny ways. I get a girlfriend. I have a beer. And every freaking time, I have to reintroduce myself to the universe all over again.” This shows that people who want to “come out” will have some difficulties from other people’s opinions and …show more content…
Simon is a relatable character to those who are scared of being themselves. He has a very stable family who are always there for him and he has friends who can understand him. Simon sees that he shouldn’t be afraid to come out to his friends and family, he shouldn’t care what other people say about him and let other people use him just because they have something against him. He discovers that he should just be himself and not let others get to him.
Simon finally came out to one of his best friends but he couldn’t tell the others, but later on it was too late as a post about him being gay was posted online. So he decides to accept it and follows along and tells the rest of his family and friends that he’s homosexual, he ignores the gay remarks and mocking given to him by other schoolmates, and learns that being himself is the right thing to do and other people’s opinions should not get to him. “But maybe this is a big deal. Maybe it’s a holy freaking huge awesome deal. Maybe I want it to be.”
Overall in the short story ‘A dead woman’s secret’ By Guy de Maupassant. Gave me a more understanding that you can't keep a secret forever, whether it’s a big or small secret, it should be told to someone that will support you and understand
Prior to the interview with Frank Sinatra, Simon is facing ambiguity in the search for her identity. From the beginning, it becomes clear that Simon desires to fit in but she is still left in question about Frank Sinatra. Simon, “…pretended to swoon at the mention of his name…” (Simon 1). She did this with hopes of being accepted by the society around her. She soon admitted
Simon represents the sensitive, spiritual and caring side of human behavior he enjoys nature and often walks alone in the jungle like Piggy Simon is an outcast. The other...
Simon was the observant character, the quiet philosopher. He was often alone, sometimes by his own choice, and he liked to wander into the peaceful jungle. He sincerely cared about the other boys, sometimes helping the young ones to fetch fruit, yet "Simon turned away from them and went where the just perceptible path led him. Soon high jungle closed in" (56). He loved solitude and yet felt loneliness; he was alien to the other boys. The boys did not think anyone would be stupid enough to go into the jungle by night: "The assembly grinned at the thought of going out into the darkness. Then Simon stood up and Ralph looked at him in astonishment" (85). Many of the boys even thought he was "batty" because he left the group to spend time alone.
Simon is the big tough character you can expect any group of men to want in the group. He is a calm character but can turn into a powerful and aggressive person that demands respect in an instant. In the scene where Tristan challenges Simon on being fearful of benny, Simon quickly reminds Tristan exactly who he is talking to by throwing the drink at Tristan who is the leader and in command. Simon demonstrates one characteristic that all men value and that is Power, Men are expected to be strong bold characters, and Simon uses these
Andrew Sullivan, author of, What is a Homosexual, portrays his experience growing up; trapped in his own identity. He paints a detailed portrait of the hardships caused by being homosexual. He explains the struggle of self-concealment, and how doing so is vital for social acceptation. The ability to hide one’s true feelings make it easier to be “invisible” as Sullivan puts it. “The experience of growing up profoundly different in emotional and psychological makeup inevitably alters a person’s self-perception.”(Sullivan)This statement marks one of the many reasons for this concealment. The main idea of this passage is to reflect on those hardships, and too understand true self-conscious difference. Being different can cause identity problems, especially in adolescents.
Seidman, Steven. Beyond the Closet: The Transformation of Gay and Lesbian Life. New York: Routledge, 2004. Print
Simon has a spiritual perception, a mystical connection to nature that none other characters possess. He also makes it clear that the beast real identity is the evilness which exists inside everyone. Finally, Simon treats other characters, especially the little boys with kind manners and shows interest in their well-being, contrasts to the cruelty of Jack and many boys who have let their savagery rule over them. After his death, Golding then shift the focus from Simon’s body toward the unchanging nature, such as the sun, moon, and earth that is because the character Simon, represents a knowledge as fundamental as the natural
Simon was the kind of person who kept to himself and looked at the world from a different point of view. His disease made him take life much more seriously than the rest of the group. The ironic thing about this is that even though he took life more seriously than others, he was the first to die. He was different because he was a member of the choir and unlike the other member of the choir, he did not hunt. Even Ralph was quoted as saying he was funny and queer. But he was right. He did not like the company of the other boys because on page 132 of the book, he is seen in his little bower where he just sits and becomes one with his mind. Most of the other boys are seen playing but not Simon. His maturity level and intelligence were far greater than some adults in this day and age.
However, depending on their environment or the quality of one’s relationship to another person; the individual’s sexuality can be discussed with those closest to them. When their sexual orientation is revealed or “outed”, the individual has both opportunities such as accepted by families and peer groups and problems such as dealing with homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in their homes, schools and the communities in the presence of others and their opinions; making them feel let down, abandoned and dejected. According to Kathryn Dindia’s article “Going Into and Coming Out of the Closet: The Dialectics of Stigma and Disclosure” those who identify as bisexual, lesbian, gay or transgender are subject to stigma of AIDS or mental illness because “...the stigma is difficult or impossible to conceal, whether to reveal or conceal is an issue for the discreditable…”(85). Stating the individuals who came out as the “discreditable”, as have noted when the individual decided to reveal their sexual orientation they have ordeals such stereotypes, hatred, microaggressions and stigma. The chapter speaks into social sense unlike the next reading “Out of the Closets and Into the Courts”, Ellen Andersen narrates coming out in a more legal manner. During the Counterculture Movement and the 1970’s, Andersen pointed out and stressed “...gay men and lesbians needed legal representation…”(17) as well as protection by law enforcement, although earlier said the Stone wall Riots was provoked by acts of police brutality and the court system. Especially in American society, the book additionally states that the Gay Rights
Simon is a symbol of peace who sees only good in the world. The name Simon itself means, listener, and depicts Simon's character well as he always listens instead of giving an alternative opinion. Although at times his opinion differs from the others, he never complains. Simon's great sacrifice for the boys, dying for their sin, is a trait of a martyr. Simon's death results in a change of his affect on the boys and on the reader. Because he is killed by the other boys, he begins to represent the evil that has dominated over the good on the island.
The topic of homosexuality has become a constant issue throughout our society for many years. Many people believe that being gay is not acceptable for both religious and moral reasons. Because being gay is not accepted, many homosexuals may feel shame or guilt because of the way they live their everyday lives. This in turn can affect how the person chooses to live their life and it can also affect who the person would like to become. Growing up, David Sedaris struggled to find the common ground between being gay as well as being a normal teenager. He often resorted to the conclusion that you could not be both. Sedaris allows us to see things through his young eyes with his personable short story "I Like Guys". Throughout his short story, Sedaris illustrates to the reader what it was like growing up being gay as well as how the complexities of being gay, and the topic of sexuality controlled his lifestyle daily. He emphasizes the shame he once felt for being gay and how that shame has framed him into the person he has become.
Simon was the first and only one to realise the real beast on the Island. He could be compared to someone like a priest or a good samaraton – someone who tries his best to convince everyone of what’s right.
In the end, even though he failed to inform the other boys of it, Simon through his use of spiritual power was able to recognize the truth. He stood strong against evil even though it consumed the island after his death. People can look to him as an example of how to act in real life. And to be honest, Simon is an important character to Lord of the Flies by William Golding, not just for all this, but because he is what every person should wish to be. In the book the others bully him because they do not quite understand him, but Simon in all reality is a role model for the world. Don’t you think that the world would be a much better place, if we all tried to act a little bit like Simon?
Lately it seems like everyone is "coming out" as lgbtq because it seems like the coolest thing to do. Kids at school don't understand that just a few years ago, coming out was horrible. In the past few years, so much has changed for the LGBTQ Community. Marriage is being legalized all over the place, and people are learning to speak out about their rights. Six years ago, my parents found out I was bisexual after they went through my computer. My mom screamed, cried, threw things, and questioned me relentlessly. She couldn't possibly understand what it was that I was going through. At school, I was bullied and pushed around because I was that "weird little lesbian". In a small school of just a little under 200, once one person knew something about you, everyone knew your secret. The world dropped out from underneath my feet.
In the short story “ A Dead Woman’s Secret by Guy de Maupassant, the basic theme is devoted to family and private relationships. The main characters in the story are Marguerite (the daughter), the judge (the son), the priest, and the deceased mother. Marguerite is a nun and she is very religious. The dead woman’s son, the Judge, handled the law as a weapon with which he smote the weak ones without pity. The story begins by telling the reader that the woman had died quietly, without pain. The author is very descriptive when explaining the woman’s appearance - “Now she was resting in her bed, lying on her back, her eyes closed, her features calm, her long white hair carefully arranged as though she had done it up ten minutes before dying. The whole pale countenance of the dead woman was so collected, so calm, so resigned that one could feel what a sweet soul had lived in that body, what a quiet existence this old soul had led, how easy and pure the death of this parent had been” (1). The children had been kneeling by their mother’s bed for awhile just admiring her. The priest had stopped by to help the children pass by the next hours of great sadness, but the children decided that they wanted to be alone as they spend the last few hours with their mother. Within in the story, the author discusses the relationship between the children’s father and their mother. The father was said to make the mother most unhappy. Great