the future ignored and the word he wished to spread forgotten. Simon falls to the ground dead and is described as beautiful and pure. The description of his death, the manner in which he died, and the cause for which he died are remarkably similar to the circumstances of Christ’s life and death. The major difference is that Christ died on the cross, while Simon was speared. However, a reader familiar with the Bible recalls that Christ was stabbed in the side with a spear before his crucifixion. William Golding discusses man’s capacity for fear and cowardice. In the novel, the boys on the island first encounter a natural fear of being stranded on an uncharted island without the supervision of adults. Once the boys begin to organize and begin to feel more adult-like themselves, the fear of monsters takes over. It is understandable that boys ranging in ages from toddlers to young teenagers would have fear of monsters, especially when it is taken into consideration that the children are stranded on the island. The author also wants of show that fear is an emotion that is instinctive and active in humans from the very beginning of their lives. This uncovers another weakness in man, supporting the idea or belief that man is pathetic and savage at the very center of his existence. Throughout the novel, there is a struggle for power between two groups. This struggle shows man’s fear of losing control, which is another example of his selfishness and weakness. The fear of monsters is natural. The fear of losing power is inherited. Golding uses these different problems to prove the point that any type of uncontrolled fear contributes to man’s instability and will eventually lead to his [man’s] end spiritually even physically.The author chooses to use and island as the setting for the story. The island is an important symbol in Golding’s story. It suggests the isolation of man in a frightening and mysterious envi...
