Chapter 9
A View to a Death
The storm keeps boiling over the island, possibly representing the turmoil that is occurring
below it. Simon regains consciousness and heads for the mountain. He sees the rotting airman and
realizes the Beast is “harmless and horrible,” which, in reality is true. If the boys choose to suppress
the Beast it is harmless, or they can let it run rampant. Simon makes his way to the beach to tell the
other boys.
Piggy and Ralph have decided to go to the pig roast, just to see what is going to happen. All
of the other boys are already there, except Simon, and they fall silent as the two outcasts
approached. They are both given portions of meat as Jack begins a speech. He asks who will join his
tribe. Ralph interrupts—trying to persuade the boys to help him keep the fire going. The crowd of
boys instead agree to join Jack, who promises to give them meat and keep them safe from the Beast.
The storm breaks and the rain comes down with lightning and thunder. Ralph is asking
them what they’re going to do without shelters and Jack orders them to begin the dance. As they
chant around Roger, who is playing the pig, Piggy and Ralph “...found themselves eager to take
place in this demented but partly secure society.” The boys in the dance are armed with clubs and
spits and are getting out of hand again with this game.
A figure is crawling out of the forest and the ring opens to let it inside. Mistaken as the
Beast by the Jack’s tribe, Simon is beaten to death. The group disbands for shelter from the storm.
On top of the mountain wind fills the parachute of the airman and lifts him away from the island. As
the storm subsides and the tide moves in and out, Simon’s body is washed to sea.
