Jack and Simon in Chapter Three of the Lord of the Flies Essay example

Jack and Simon in Chapter Three of the Lord of the Flies In the Lord of the Flies, William Golding makes many contrasts between his symbolic characters. For example in chapter three, 'Huts on the beach', many contrasts and similarities are made between the two characters Jack and Simon. These descriptions give an idea to their personality and feelings. The description of Simon in the jungle, and Jack in the woods highlights many of their differences. Jack is alone and descriptions like, 'with flared nostrils', and 'ape- like' suggest he is behaving like an animal. Jack's appearance is also starting to resemble animals, as his hair has grown, 'longer', and his skin darker with, 'a mess of dark freckles'. Simon's appearance is described similarly to jacks. He has ' a coarse mop of black hair,' which was 'long' Simon on bare feet, like jack and he has dark skin and only wears, 'the remains of shorts'. This shows that both characters do not take much care in their appearance. In this sense, living on the island has effected them both in the same way. Jack has changed in himself by becoming less prim and proper. He has started to swear, become more dirty and tatty, 'streaked with brown earth' and he is wearing only, 'tattered shorts', these factors all show how jack is loosing his inhibitions and that from the start of the book he has changed greatly. The settings of the wood and jungle are quite similar, although the way Golding presents them greatly changed the perception of Jack and Simon. Simon, in the jungle is presented in an attractive way by descriptions like, 'the scent of ripeness' and, 'flower and fruit grow together on the same tree'. When Simon walks past the candle buds, the quote, 'the ... ... but it is evident that he has much wisdom, and says well thought through comments. An example of this is when Jack and Ralph are speaking, and Simon abruptly joins in their conversation by saying, 'as if it was not a good island'. This is meant in a way to try and make Jack and Ralph consider the point. Then he goes on to say, 'as if the beastie, the beastie or the snake- thing was real'. Simon unlike Ralph and Jack, does not find the beastie a threat, and does not seem scared or frightened about it. Jack and Ralph both like having the role as leader, and have a want for power over the lives of the group. Jack says to Ralph, ''you're chief. You tell 'em off', in a harsh tone, showing he is jealous about Ralph being leader. Simon, unlike Jack and Ralph shows no desire to be leader. This reinforces the idea that Simon could be compared to Jesus figure.