How is Simon different from the other boys? What might he represent?

Unlike the other boys, Simon is self-aware, empathetic, and solitary. From the beginning, Golding develops Simon as a Christ-figure. Simon takes on many of the characteristics that Christ had. Simon does not say too much but when he does speak it is to reveal some sort of truth. Simon is the only boy who understands the nature of the Beast; he knows the beast lives within all the boys. The other boys lack the emotional and spiritual maturity to grasp this concept.