Page 114 - Middle Georgia State University - Knighted 2019

The idea that Simon becomes a martyr highlights the fact that people with epilepsy are
often marginalized in society, despite the fact that it is fairly common in some places. According
to Wagner on page 43 of her article, in the present day in the United Kingdom, half of 1 million
people have epilepsy. Despite that number, not very much is known about the illness or where it
comes from. During his seizure, Simon expresses fear towards the vision he has. On page 134 of
the Kindle edition of the novel, Golding writes that “Simon moved his swollen tongue but said
nothing.” The swollen tongue is a symptom of Simon's illness but it also reflects his own
paranoia about the situation he is in and how frightening the Lord of the Flies is for him. It shows
that he does not understand his own illness.

Since Simon is among the schoolboys and he only has one episode in the novel, the
audience can assume that his epilepsy is moderate, which makes it easier for him to hide. This
fact ties into the novel’s theme of the true nature that people hide within themselves and the
façade they allow people to see. "Golding suggests that civilization provides an enchanting cloak
to the…evil nature of a man and this is what the children lost” (Anjum 123). Without adults to
look after them, the boys give into their animalistic natures, except for Simon, Ralph and Piggy.
Because Simon dies in the manner he does, his death provides commentary on how animals with
disabilities and illnesses never survive in the wild because they are at a disadvantage.

Simon is mistaken for the beast in his final moments. He is so ill that he cannot defend
himself. In a way, he becomes prey to the other boys, who are friendly with the thrill of the hunt.
In the end, “Simon's dead body moved out towards the open sea” (144 Kindle edition). Simon's
death could have been prevented if he had told someone about his illness and asked for help.
Golding did write him as a martyr, but he also provides commentary on how serious disabilities
and chronic illnesses can be if left untreated. Children can also be unaware of how dangerous

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