Page 116 - Middle Georgia State University - Knighted 2019

In the story, logic and reason give way to primal instincts. With this in mind, readers get the
sense that there is no place in nature for goodness and how to behave is something that society
teaches children.

Simon's suffering leads him to discover the truth about the pilot on the mountain. His
seizure leads to enlightenment, which echoes philosophy in certain religions about how suffering
often leads to enlightenment and wisdom. In his interactions with the other boys, the audience
sees that he is wise beyond his years. A good example is his last conversation with Ralph before
he dies. However, his knowledge and wisdom is ignored in the end because of his physical
weakness and vulnerability.

The fact that the weakest boys on the island die shows that the boys in the novel have
been raised with Darwinism and ableist perspective in mind. Boys are taught to be strong and
stoical. They naturally want to fight to solve problems rather than think the problems through.
Simon cannot live up to the imperative of the standards because he is at a severe physical
disadvantage, so he dies in the end. Simon's differences from the other boys are his downfall. No
one sees the gift he possesses so it goes wasted.

The wasted gifts of Simon in the novel highlight the difficulty people with epilepsy have
had over the centuries. Today, people with epilepsy are treated better but there is still a great deal
unknown about the illness and degrees of severity it involves. Disability awareness and
awareness for chronic, life-threatening conditions are still being expanded upon today. Reading
Golding's work through modern eyes reveals how far awareness has come. The story provides
insight into how epileptics were treated in the past and how different things are today.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding examines disability and chronic illness through the
character of Simon, who suffers from epilepsy. Simon is enlightened, wise beyond his years and

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