Did Piggy participate in Simon’s death? The novel “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding is a timeless piece of literature that explores the complexities of human nature in a group setting. One of the novel’s most controversial and debated scenes is Simon’s death. Many readers have questioned whether Piggy, one of the main characters, participated in Simon’s death.
Did Piggy participate in Simon’s death? (Answer)
Both Piggy and Ralph, the novel’s two main protagonists, participated in Simon’s death. However, it is important to note that unlike Jack and his blood-thirsty tribe, Piggy and Ralph have a harder time dealing with what happened.
Throughout the novel, Piggy represents reason and intellect as he constantly tries to maintain order and rationality on the island. Jack and his followers often bully him for being different from them. It is evident that Piggy values life as he continuously begs for the boys to work together toward their rescue rather than succumbing to savagery.
However, during the brutal death scene, Piggy does participate in carrying out violent actions toward Simon without realizing what is happening at first. In Chapter 9, when Simon emerges from the forest covered in dirt and sweat trying to tell the other boys about what he discovered about the true beast, he is mistaken for being the beast himself by Jack’s group, who are already in a frenzy due to their barbaric dance ceremony earlier.
In this scene, we see that Piggy initially tried to stop Jack’s group from attacking Simon by telling them they were mistaken about him being “the beast”. However, once the other boys started attacking Simon with sticks, Piggy joined in without realizing what was happening until it was too late.
It can be argued that Piggy did not intend to harm Simon but got caught up in mob mentality – where individuals act irrationally as part of a larger group without fully considering their actions or consequences.
How did Piggy react to Simon’s death?
Piggy reacted to Simon’s death by insisting that it was an accident, even though Ralph believed it to be murder.
Why does Piggy deny Simon’s death?
Piggy denies Simon’s death due to a combination of fear, guilt, and his own inability to accept the truth. Blaming Simon for his seemingly odd behavior allows Piggy to distance himself from the horrifying reality of what had transpired on the island, as acknowledging Simon’s death would force him to confront his own role in the violent chaos that unfolded.
Does Piggy think Simon’s death was an accident?
Yes, Piggy believes that Simon’s death was an accident.
How is Piggy’s death different from Simon’s death?
Piggy’s death differs from Simon’s in that it is a deliberate act of violence committed by one of the boys, specifically when a boulder is thrown at him by someone from Jack’s tribe. In contrast, Simon’s death occurs during a chaotic and frenzied ritualistic dance where the boys mistake him for the “beast” and brutally kill him. While both deaths are tragic and represent the loss of reason and civilization on the island, Piggy’s death is a direct result of intentional aggression. In contrast, Simon’s death is more accidental but still driven by fear and darkness within the boys.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Piggy and Ralph participate in killing Simon. However, unlike Jack and the other boys who acted willingly and without remorse, Piggy and Ralph had a harder time dealing with what happened. While not intending to harm Simon, Piggy got caught up in the frenzy of violence that engulfed the island. Simon’s death serves as a reminder that even the most rational individuals can lose sight of their values when swept up in mob mentality.