LOTF ESSAY (ENG2) "The Trials of Salem and Simon"

 Caleb McCreary

                     Mrs. Pahomov + Mrs. Rhymer

                     English 2

                     March 26, 2019

How does a society behave in a state of fear? Across history, societies have reacted differently when it’s people are caught in a frenzy, and more specifically, when there is fear directed towards a group of people. Looking at humanity’s history, we often deal with fear in ways that are harmful, and thoughtless. When individuals in a society are faced with an issue, the solutions that are created are eventually regretted.

                               The character of Simon plays an essential role in Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, both on the island and beyond the events of the novel. In the novel, he works with Ralph to start creating a functional society. But, his character, and furthermore the death of his character, resembles the frenzy and eventual execution of men and women (but, mostly women) during the witch-hunts of the 16th and 17th century. In the notes of the novel, E.L. Epstein regards Simon as the ‘embryo mystic’ (207). Without a doubt, this description refers to Simon’s conversation with the Lord of the Flies (the decapitated head of the sow who was raped and murdered prior to the boys placing her head through a spear, and declaring her an offering to ‘the beast’), a figure in the novel that places the boys in a persistent state of fear. During this interaction, the Lord of the Flies names himself “...the beast.” and adds to that by saying, “Fancy thinking the beast was something you could hunt and kill!” (143). This completely shuts down the boys’ earlier assertion that the beast was an animal, or, something to be hunted. The beast is something that is intangible, at least physically, to the boys. As this conversation takes place, the boys celebrate the murder of the sow by reenacting the kill. As they chant, dance, and reenact the sow’s death, Simon stumbles out of the forest to explain what he just heard from the Lord of the Flies. The boys, still captivated by the momentary mania, charge at Simon. At this moment, the boys believed Simon to be the beast. They “screamed, struck, bit, and tore..” (153) before pushing Simon into the ocean, where he would drown, and eventually die from his injuries.

                      Early in America’s history, refugees from Europe seeking religious freedom began forming small colonies along the Northeast Coast of America. Many refugees wanted to create a Bible-based society. Towards the end of the 1600s, rumors of witchcraft began to spread in the small, puritan village of Salem, Massachusetts. (To preface the ensuing explanation of the frenzy surrounding witchcraft, it’s essential to note Pope Innocent VII’s declaration from 1485 -- “[Witchcraft] is a reality and not a myth.”) Governor Sir William Phips of Massachusetts created a justice system that could satisfy the growing accusations of witchcraft. He created the Court of Oyer and Terminer (to hear and determine) in order to allow Salem to efficiently begin the process of putting the accused individuals to trial. So, in 1692, the villagers of Salem began with Bridget Bishop, a woman who was “known around town for her dubious moral character, frequented taverns, dressed flamboyantly (by Puritan standards), and was married three times.” (History.com Editors, First Salem Witch Hanging). Although Bridget professed her innocence, she was sentenced to death by hanging. She was hanged in the June of the same year. The death of Bridget Bishop closely mirrors the death of Simon. Prior to each of their deaths, they were treated as inhuman. Simon, bearing information that contradicted the boys’, was immediately identified as the Beast. Bridget, unknowingly drawing attention to herself because of the way she presented herself and because of her relationships with men, was named a witch. Once they were each identified as something monstrous, they were murdered; For the most part, their deaths were considered justified.

               Following Simon’s murder, his friends Ralph and Piggy lament the circumstances surrounding his death: “Don’t you understand Piggy? The things we did ---” (157). Although Ralph’s guilt (and acceptance of what’s been done) seems reasonable, Piggy feels different: “Coming in out of the dark -- he hadn’t no business crawling out of the dark. He was batty! He asked for it…” (157). These contrasting reactions to what’s been done is a subtle representation with how society reflects on its own history, and more precisely, the harmful things it has done.

                                  Several months after Bridget Benson’s hanging and the deaths of eighteen more people during the Salem Witch Trials, Governor Sir William Phips of Massachusetts arrived in Salem. Upon arriving in Salem and learning of the Witch Trials, Phips “found many persons in a strange ferment of dissatisfaction . . . [and] found that the Devil had taken upon him the name and shape of several persons who were doubtless innocent.". He began to disassemble the system he created in order to efficiently deal with numerous accusations in the colony ---  He ordered the ceasing of all trials having to do with accusations concerning witchcraft. Those sentenced to death were pardoned, and the people awaiting trial were released. Even though Phips ended the system which resulted in the unjust deaths of nineteen people (which he created), he still felt guilty. This mirrors the reactions of Ralph and Piggy following the death of Simon. Even though they participated in the murder, at that moment, they believed it was the right thing to do.

       When fear consumes a society, quick solutions are created to ease everyone’s mind. In the novel, Simon is murdered by the boys because he possessed information that would’ve clashed with what was agreed upon on the island. Bridget Benson and the other victims (or, easy targets) throughout the Salem Witch Trials were executed as a quick solution to reduce the fear of witchcraft spreading throughout the colony. It’s natural to create solutions to issues, however, these solutions can often result in more harm than what was originally expected, and also divide the society based on whether the actions executed in the momentary frenzy were justified, or unnecessary.        

                Works Cited:

Salem Witch Trials Governor Sir William Phips, salem.lib.virginia.edu/people/phips.html.

“First Salem Witch Hanging.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Feb. 2010, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-salem-witch-hanging.

“Timeline - The Salem Witch Trials.” Google Sites, sites.google.com/a/email.cpcc.edu/the-salem-witch-trials/timeline.

Lord of the Flies: A Novel. New York:, 2006. Golding, Penguin Publishing