The novel “Lord Of The Flies” by William Golding is set on a remote island in the pacific ocean. The island is a paradise, with almost constant perfect weather. It is also stuffed with tropical fruits and animals for food, and the best part, there are no adults on the island. There was four main kids on an island, in mostly good health. Although they had a perfect start on a dream island, it soon turned to chaos. As Thomas Hobbes had predicted, if humans have freedom and choice to do whatever they want, they will always ruin it. Most boys ended up as Hobbes expected them too. Yet, one of the main four characters named Simon, demonstrates many characteristics of the Locke philosophy. Simon from “Lord of The Flies” exemplifies a standard view of a supporter of John Locke. Simon demonstrates perfect rationality for a kid in his age group. He showed great spirit in offering to grab the fruit in tall places for the littluns and getting along with the other boys. He saw the littluns reaching for fruit and “pulled off the choicest from up in the foliage, passed them back to the endless outstretched hands” (Golding 56). Locke would want kindness from any leader, a leader who kept peace and knew some common sense. He would be in support of Simon from the numerous acts of kindness and rationality he showed, instead of a fierce person who kept to himself; as a Hobbes supporter would. Simon showed support to Ralph, the leader, in being a friend and offering his friendship. He shows happiness and good spirit and “When they had done laughing, Simon stroked Ralph’s arm shyly; and they had to laugh again” (Golding 25). On top of being a supporter of the Locke philosophy, Simon is also an intelligent kid for his age, being one of the smartest on the island. He becomes Ralph’s friend, who is the leader of the group. He talks to Ralph about his own chieftainship and how he might improve it. Halfway into the novel, Simon explains “Piggy’s right, Ralph. There’s you and Jack. Go on being chief” (Golding 94). Simon is always a step ahead of most of the other kids. During the assembly talking about the beast, Simon steps forward and says that “Maybe it’s only us.” (Golding 89). Here he demonstrates his superior knowledge; Simon is
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He understood things well before the other kids and sometimes knew things they never did. During the panic of the beast with Samneric, before Simon saw what the beast looked like, he could tell that it wasn’t a beast. Simon's time on the beach alone caused him to ponder upon things, and “However Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human, at once heroic and sick.” (Golding 140). Even though Simon seemed a bit crazy in some parts of the story, in the end he was one of the only ones that was sane. During the feast, the other boys begin the chant to “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood! Do him in!” (Golding 152). They seemed to lose their sanity and they even changed the beast from a “She” to a “He” as they are about to go after Simon. The children had gone mad and nothing could’ve saved simon by the time they understood their
He understood things well before the other kids and sometimes knew things they never did. During the panic of the beast with Samneric, before Simon saw what the beast looked like, he could tell that it wasn’t a beast. Simon's time on the beach alone caused him to ponder upon things, and “However Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human, at once heroic and sick.” (Golding 140). Even though Simon seemed a bit crazy in some parts of the story, in the end he was one of the only ones that was sane. During the feast, the other boys begin the chant to “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood! Do him in!” (Golding 152). They seemed to lose their sanity and they even changed the beast from a “She” to a “He” as they are about to go after Simon. The children had gone mad and nothing could’ve saved simon by the time they understood their