good and evil

• “There was a slight furtive boy with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy"- rogers description


  -“furtive” (sneaky, secretive) and unknown already sets him apart from the others. There’s a sense of mystery and danger

  -inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy” suggests something deeply hidden, possibly sinister, inside him — a repressed darkness or evil

  -foreshadows Roger’s later transformation

  -Roger keeps to himself because society have taught him to suppress his darker instincts.

  -the novel progresses and those rules fall away, we see Roger slowly give in to his inner cruelty
• “I’ll go if you like, I don’t mind, honestly.” he [Simon] smiled quickly, turned and climbed into the forest.” 


  • At this point in the novel, the boys are becoming more violent and irrational, gripped by fear of the “beast.”
  • Simon, however, doesn’t seem to fear the forest or the unknown — he shows courage rooted in truth and understanding, not force.
  • Simon is often seen as a Christ-like figure. This moment feels symbolic — he enters the forest alone, almost like a spiritual journey or sacrifice.
  • Later, of course, Simon will discover the truth about the "beast" (that it’s inside them), and he’s killed when he tries to bring that truth back — echoing religious martyrdom.
• “What are you doing here all alone? Aren’t you afraid of me [the pig’s head/ the lord of the flies]?


  • abstract idea of evil is personified: evil is psychological not just violent
  • biblical imagery: simon presented as christ, isolated in desert and tempted by the devil
  • rheotorical question shows how the pig challenges simons morality
• "The line of his cheek silvered... a silver shape beneath the steadfast constellations..."


  • simon is honoured by nature: silver imagery gives simon angelic and pure symbolism
  • juxtaposes boys brutal murder with natures reverence for simon
  • although evil physically won, spiritually good remains untainted