chapter 9 quotes

• "But a beast with claws that scratched, that sat on a mountain-top, that left no tracks and yet was not fast enough to catch Samneric. However Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick."

  Simon climbs the mountain and discovers that the "beast" the boys fear is actually the dead parachutist.

  This moment reveals Simon’s understanding that the real beast is human nature itself. The phrase "heroic and sick" highlights the duality of mankind—both capable of greatness and destruction.
• "He crawled forward and soon he understood. He saw how pitilessly the layers of rubber and canvas held together the poor body that should be rotting away."

  Simon inspects the parachutist’s body and confirms that it is not a beast but a lifeless human.

  This symbolizes how fear can distort reality. The boys have imagined a terrifying monster, but in truth, their real danger comes from themselves.
• "Jack, painted and garlanded, sat there like an idol."

  Jack has fully embraced his role as chief. He sits in a throne-like position, covered in war paint and decorated with leaves.The image of Jack as an "idol" suggests that he has become a figure of worship, replacing Ralph’s leadership with fear and power.
• "Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!"

  The boys, caught up in their ritualistic dance, chant this repeatedly as they move in a violent frenzy.

  This chant, first introduced earlier in the novel, now marks the boys’ complete descent into savagery. The mob mentality has taken over, making them dangerous and uncontrollable
• the beast struggled forward, broke the ring, and fell over the steep edge of the rock to the sand by the water."

  Simon, trying to tell the boys the truth, stumbles into their circle. In their blind hysteria, they mistake him for the beast and brutally kill him.

  The tragic irony is that Simon, the one person who knew the truth about the beast, is killed before he can reveal it. His death symbolizes the destruction of truth and reason.
• "There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws."

  As Simon is attacked, the boys are described in animalistic terms, no longer thinking rationally.

  This quote highlights the complete breakdown of civilization—the boys have lost all traces of humanity, acting like wild animals instead of people.
• Even in the rain they could see how small a beast it was; and already its blood was staining the sand."

  After Simon is killed, the boys begin to realize their mistake—the "beast" they killed was just a human.

  The bloodstained sand symbolizes that their savagery has led to an irreversible act. This moment marks the point of no return in their descent into violence
• "Softly, surrounded by a fringe of inquisitive bright creatures, itself a silver shape beneath the steadfast constellations, Simon's dead body moved out towards the open sea."

  After the storm, Simon’s body is gently carried out to sea, surrounded by glowing sea creatures.

  This moment is filled with spiritual imagery—Simon’s body is treated with reverence by nature, reinforcing his role as a Christ-like figure. The peacefulness contrasts sharply with the violence of his death.
• The water rose further and dressed Simon’s coarse hair with brightness."

  The sea continues to carry Simon away, washing his body as if cleansing him.

  The light and water imagery suggest that nature is purifying Simon, making him almost saint-like in death.
• There was lightning and thunder and rain. We was scared!"

  The next day, Piggy tries to justify their role in Simon’s death, claiming that the storm and fear made them do it.

  This highlights the theme of denial and responsibility—instead of admitting their actions, Piggy makes excuses. This shows how humans often try to justify violence instead of confronting the truth.