Table of Contents
- 1 Why is Simon the only one to doubt the existence of a beast What can you infer about him because of this?
- 2 What does Simon say about the beast’s existence?
- 3 Why is Simon not afraid of the beast?
- 4 How does Simon envision the beast?
- 5 What does Simon learn about the beast What does he do to the beast?
Why is Simon the only one to doubt the existence of a beast What can you infer about him because of this?
Simon’s unique insight into the true nature of the beast prevents him from believing that there is a malevolent physical creature on the island. Simon is the only boy not scared of the beast because he understands that it is the inherent wickedness of each boy.
What does Simon say about the beast’s existence?
To the dismay of Ralph and Piggy, Simon admits in Chapter 5 that he does believe in the beast, but suggests that the beast is actually the inherent evil inside each one of them. Simon senses early on that the boys will fall into violent savagery and become their own worst enemies.
Why is Simon not afraid of the beast?
Simon understands that the beast is the inherent wickedness of each person on the island. Therefore, Simon does not fear the beast and freely roams throughout the island.
What is Simon’s greatest fear?
Simon’s fears are about people, not the island. In this way, his fears are more real and true than the other boys. They fear a mythical beast; he fears the beast within the other boys.
What does Simon mean by maybe there is a beast?
When he says “… maybe it’s only us that we’re afraid of” he means that maybe we know that there isn’t a beast, but it’s easier to fear the beast than it is to face the reality that we’re actually afraid of each other. Simon is trying to convince the boys that they do not need to fear the beast.
How does Simon envision the beast?
○ Simon is a very religious figure in the novel (Jesus’s brother, the name ‘Simon’ means to obey) and he thinks that they are actually the ones creating the beastie. He also believes that the beast is just an imaginary figure created from their evil human nature.
What does Simon learn about the beast What does he do to the beast?
Simon discovers that the so called beast of the island, in really nothing more than the body of a dead airman. His parachute had become tangled and stuck in the trees. Simon cuts the lines of the parachute and allows the body to slip away. He realizes that he has to go and tell the other boys that there is no beast.