Simon, whose name might be a derivative of the apostle Simon Peter from the Bible, is the most consistently stable among the boys marooned on the island. He realizes the truth about their predicament and about themselves early on in the novel. He repeatedly reassures the littluns, and he helps provide for them by getting them the fruit they can not reach for themselves. When Ralph is at a low point, he reassures Ralph that he will get home. It is worth noting that in this moment, Simon specifies that Ralph, not himself, will return to civilization. Simon instead becomes the ultimate sacrifice after discovering the truth about the "beast," which turns out to be a dead parachutist. Just as Christ Himself in the Bible attempted to bring Good News to an unbelieving people, Simon symbolically tries to bring the positive message to the other boys that their fear was unfounded. Simon is a provider, a peacemaker, a protector, and finally a penance for the other boys on the island.
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