Killing the beast

[MsElliott]

What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?

[laurah]

Feb 17, 2015 22:30:24 GMT MsElliott said:

What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?

The "beast" that the boys killed is actually Simon, who knew the truth about the beast and represents the answer to their insanity. This event is symbolic as the boys have become too fearful, primitive, and eager for blood, and as a consequence, have destroyed their only salvation.

[emah]

Feb 17, 2015 22:30:24 GMT MsElliott said:

What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?

The tragic incident occurs when most of the boys are chanting about the pig. Simon comes out of the jungle to their circle. Because it is dark, he is mistaken as the "beast." What Simon knew could have saved the boys of worry, but ironically he is attacked and killed. The boys were in a frenzy with little sense but the people who cared about him were hurt by his death. The boys have lost civilisation, which is shown when they can't think properly and kill off one of the main persons who still had it, reducing it even more.

[lindadate]

The 'beast' that the boys kill is actually Simon, who accidentally crawls into the middle of one of their 'dances', meaning to tell them the truth about the beast. This is ironic because while the boys think they are killing the beast, they are actually killing Simon. Because Simon represents good, it symbolizes that they have killed all the good inside of them, and now all that is left is evil. After murdering Simon, the boys have gone past the point of return, and they have now become bloodthirsty savages.

[zoebia]

Feb 19, 2015 11:34:53 GMT emah said:

Feb 17, 2015 22:30:24 GMT MsElliott said:

What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?

The tragic incident occurs when most of the boys are chanting about the pig. Simon comes out of the jungle to their circle. Because it is dark, he is mistaken as the "beast." What Simon knew could have saved the boys of worry, but ironically he is attacked and killed. The boys were in a frenzy with little sense but the people who cared about him were hurt by his death. The boys have lost civilisation, which is shown when they can't think properly and kill off one of the main persons who still had it, reducing it even more.

I think also the event is very ironic because they are killing what they thought was the beast even though Simon was coming to tell the boys there was no beast, I think this also represents the fact that the boys on the Island are infact the beast

[elisegrant]

The 'beast' that the boys kill is actually Simon and is a very tragic event, because the boys are all chanting about the pig when simon comes crawling out of the forest on his hands and knees and he is mistaken for the 'beast'. During all of this, Simon is trying to tell the boys what the actual 'beast' is but no one stops to listen to him and they kill him. This is a very significant and symbolic event because it represents that the boys have become like savage beasts because while they were all chanting and then killing Simon, no one stops to think about what they were actually doing. They are caught up in the moment and there minds have been taken over. The next day, when it hits them of what they have done, they try to avoid mentioning it with each other because they realise what they have become.

[Yor a wizard Harry!! (Ashton)]

Feb 17, 2015 22:30:24 GMT MsElliott said:

What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?

When the boys kill the beast they have actually killed a fellow human being, they have killed Simon. This is symbolic of the fear the boys have within, they have grown to know their inner primitive selves over there time on the island. The boys were hungry to kill, they are seeking blood. They are in a flustered state and murder Simon, one of two level headed boys on the island. This tragedy as he was coming to tell the boys about the beast; parachutist .

[Yor a wizard Harry!! (Ashton)]

Feb 19, 2015 11:34:53 GMT emah said:

Feb 17, 2015 22:30:24 GMT MsElliott said:

What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?

The tragic incident occurs when most of the boys are chanting about the pig. Simon comes out of the jungle to their circle. Because it is dark, he is mistaken as the "beast." What Simon knew could have saved the boys of worry, but ironically he is attacked and killed. The boys were in a frenzy with little sense but the people who cared about him were hurt by his death. The boys have lost civilisation, which is shown when they can't think properly and kill off one of the main persons who still had it, reducing it even more.

This is ironic because Simon was the savior from the beast,the absolute opposite from the boys intentions.

[allanaedgell]

Feb 17, 2015 22:30:24 GMT MsElliott said:

What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?

The boys thought that is was the "beast" that was coming down toward the but it was actually only Simon. This is ironic because Simon had just discovered what the beast was and was coming down to tell all the other boys but was killed in the process of trying to explain. Also, Simon was the only boy who belived that the beast was the boys in the process and he ended up being right. This is symbolic as this represents how bloodthirsty and savage the boys have become on the island.

[allanaedgell]

Feb 22, 2015 9:34:48 GMT elisegrant said:

The 'beast' that the boys kill is actually Simon and is a very tragic event, because the boys are all chanting about the pig when simon comes crawling out of the forest on his hands and knees and he is mistaken for the 'beast'. During all of this, Simon is trying to tell the boys what the actual 'beast' is but no one stops to listen to him and they kill him. This is a very significant and symbolic event because it represents that the boys have become like savage beasts because while they were all chanting and then killing Simon, no one stops to think about what they were actually doing. They are caught up in the moment and there minds have been taken over. The next day, when it hits them of what they have done, they try to avoid mentioning it with each other because they realise what they have become.

I agree with you here Elise, the boys have ruined their only hope of knowing what the actual "beast" is. This is a tragic event and really shows the deterioration of the boys on the island.

[zoel]

Feb 22, 2015 0:10:35 GMT lindadate said:

The 'beast' that the boys kill is actually Simon, who accidentally crawls into the middle of one of their 'dances', meaning to tell them the truth about the beast. This is ironic because while the boys think they are killing the beast, they are actually killing Simon. Because Simon represents good, it symbolizes that they have killed all the good inside of them, and now all that is left is evil. After murdering Simon, the boys have gone past the point of return, and they have now become bloodthirsty savages.

Simon also was the only one who knew the beast was really the boys and now that understanding is lost.

[lilyklunyk]

Feb 23, 2015 9:56:18 GMT allanaedgell said:

Feb 17, 2015 22:30:24 GMT MsElliott said:

What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?

The boys thought that is was the "beast" that was coming down toward the but it was actually only Simon. This is ironic because Simon had just discovered what the beast was and was coming down to tell all the other boys but was killed in the process of trying to explain. Also, Simon was the only boy who belived that the beast was the boys in the process and he ended up being right. This is symbolic as this represents how bloodthirsty and savage the boys have become on the island.

I agree with your comment. It is ironic that Simon, the one who didn't believe in a real beast, found evidence to prove there isn't a beast and was killed before he could tell anyone. This proves that the boys are the beasts.

[emilyhadzalic]

Feb 17, 2015 22:30:24 GMT MsElliott said:

What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?

The "beast" that the boys kill is actually just Simon. This event is ironic because Simon was actually just about to tell them that the boys themselves were the beasts, but he never got the chance because they killed him. This is also tragic because now there's a chance that the boys will never realise that the only beast that's living on the island is themselves.
I think Simon's character was representative of kindness, sympathy and religion and that his death is symbolising that when humans fall into savagery that kindness and sympathy are the first things to disappear from society.