Lord of the Flies Group

Question:

heygirlhey
heygirlhey
Student
High School - 10th Grade

In chapters 5-6 of "Lord of the Flies," what does Simon mean when he says the "beast" may be the boys themselves?

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Posted by heygirlhey on Tuesday April 15, 2008 at 7:50 PM and tagged with beast, boys, lord of the flies, simon.

Answers:


  1. podunc Teacher
    College - Sophomore

    eNotes Editor

    The most mystical and mysterious figure among the boys, Simon alone has a vague sense of the moral and spiritual conflict that has gripped them during their stay on the island. In chapter five, he suggests that "maybe there is a beast" but, also, that "maybe it's only us." Simon understands that it is not an outside evil but rather the outgrowth of "mankind's essential illness" that is destroying the group from within.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/flies/

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    Posted by podunc on Wednesday April 16, 2008 at 2:43 AM

  2. simonsays
    simonsays Student
    High School - 10th Grade

    In chapter 5 and 6 Simon realizes that "the beast" represents the manifestation of evil that is accumulating within them. Therefore they arn't scared of the beast, but themselves, and what they will become.

     This is further proved by the Lord of the Flies on page 158 when it says: "Fancy thinking the beast was something you could hunt and kill! You knew didn't you? I'm part of you? Close, close, close! Im the reason why its a no go? Why things are what they are?"

     

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    Posted by simonsays on Tuesday April 29, 2008 at 2:19 PM