At the end of Chapter 8 in The Lord of the Flies, Simon faces a tragic fate. After having an intense and enlightening encounter with the Lord of the Flies, which reveals the dark nature of humanity, Simon leaves the eerie ritual gathering of the boys. As he stumbles through the woods, he discovers the dead parachutist, the source of the boys’ fears, and realizes the truth about the beast—it is not a physical creature but the darkness within each boy.
However, in a horrific turn of events, when Simon attempts to return to the boys to share his newfound understanding, he is mistakenly perceived as the beast. Caught in a frenzied dance and driven by primal fear, the boys brutally attack Simon, ultimately killing him. This moment symbolizes the complete breakdown of civilization and morality among the boys, showcasing the overwhelming savagery that has taken over their group.
This tragic end for Simon serves as a poignant reminder of the loss of innocence and the inherent evil present in mankind, central themes in William Golding’s novel.