Simon is the protector of the weaker children and the visionary for the older boys on the island. From the beginning, he is set apart from both groups when, at the first meeting, he collapses, seemingly from epilepsy. He also sets himself apart by disappearing to his meditation garden, his secret hiding spot, where he enjoys spending time alone.
Simon takes time to retrieve fruit for the younger children, the littluns, that they can not...
Simon is the protector of the weaker children and the visionary for the older boys on the island. From the beginning, he is set apart from both groups when, at the first meeting, he collapses, seemingly from epilepsy. He also sets himself apart by disappearing to his meditation garden, his secret hiding spot, where he enjoys spending time alone.
Simon takes time to retrieve fruit for the younger children, the littluns, that they can not reach. He feels obligated to care for their physical hunger and can not walk past them and ignore their need. He also helps Piggy--by far the weakest of the older children--retrieve his glasses when Jack knocks them away. Simon does this in a non-confrontational way, which characterizes his personality.
Simon's other self-assigned role is that of missionary, of truth-bearer. He encourages Ralph by telling Ralph that he will make it home all right. He confronts both the sacrificial pig head, which defiled his sacred garden, and the parachute man, which is misunderstood to be the beast. Simon feels duty-bound to deliver the truth to the other boys, and he pays a scapegoat's price: When the others deceive themselves into thinking Simon is the beast, they murder him without conscience.
Simon cares deeply for all the boys on the island. He demonstrates this care differently, depending on the personality of the recipient. He is the most sensitive and spiritual of all the characters.
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