The Presentation of the Deaths of Simon and Piggy in William Golding's Lord of the Flies

The Presentation of the Deaths of Simon and Piggy in William Golding's Lord of the Flies

The deaths of Simon and Piggy and the way they were built up and

presented has a few similarities but not many. They mainly contrast

and it is that which I will look at. First I will look at the death of

Simon, and the way it was presented, then the death of Piggy and the

way it was presented. Next, I will look at any differences, since

there aren't any important similarities.

Simon's death came about when he awakes and it is night. He saw the

parachute rise and fall with the wind and he realised that the beast

was just in fact a dead corpse. He staggered towards Jack's feast with

the intention of telling them this news. The boys were chanting and

dancing and were in a frenzy. In this state of excitement, they did

not recognise his figure. They advanced on Simon. He tried explaining

who he is and what has happened but he trips and falls over onto the

beach. The boys fall upon him and tear him apart. The way Simon's

death was described was how Simon would think. The nature around him

and the natural beauty of the area was described. His personality was

reflected in his death- it was described in a very tranquil way,

taking into account every minute detail of the moments before and

after his death. This is like how his mind worked; taking into account

every detail. Simon's death was not meant to happen on purpose. It

wasn't supposed to be. No one wanted or liked the fact that Simon

died- not even the Earth. Simon's death had a worldwide effect- 'the

sun and moon were pulling; and the film of water on the earth planet

was held'. This symbolizes the significance his life and held and his

death and that he held up the way life works i.e. democracy and order.

Simon's death occurred amongst hysteria when he was an easy going

person. Simon is compared to as a Jesus figure- the giver of peace and