Consider Lord of the Flies as a religious parable on the forces of good and evil.How does Golding weave religious imagery and symbolism into his...

Golding weaves religious imagery into his story through
two most significant means: the character Simon, and the Lord of the
Flies.

The character Simon is situated as the
Christ-figure. If you watch Simon's character from the beginning, he is much like the
character of Christ. Christ came into the world in a way that at the time caused little
notice. He gave of himself for others throughout his life. Only near the end, in his
last 3 years, did he communicate his message. It happened to fall on many more deaf ears
than those that heard. In Simon's life, he spent time helping making the huts, joining
in on the walks of Ralph and Jack, and being a servant when the opportunity arose. But
we hardly see this because we are focused on the plot. As Simon's momentous chapter
arises and he faces the Lord of the Flies, we see that character of Christ again. Christ
went and spent time with Satan for 40 days being tempted. The Lord of the Flies taunted
Simon just like Satan did to Christ:

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“What are you doing out here all
alone? Aren’t you afraid of me?”

Simon
shook.

“There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me. And I’m
the Beast.”

Simon’s mouth labored, brought forth audible
words. (Chapter 8)

Christ
also lost his life after crucified and spent 3 days in hell. Simon's siezure at the
mouth of the Lord of the Flies is like that event of Christ's crucifixion. Simon's
efforts to spread his message of hope to the others is similar to Christ's efforts to
save mankind.

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The beast was harmless and horrible; and the
newsmust reach the others as soon as possible. (Chapter
9)

Simon defeated the beast
figuratively.

Both deaths were inevitable. Both were
murdered by those who they tried to save.

In chapter 8,
Simon specifically leaves the boys like Christ left his disciples to pray just before he
knew he was going to be crucified.

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“Where’s Simon?”

“I
don’t know.”

“You don’t think he’s climbing the mountain?”
Piggy broke into noisy laughter and took more
fruit.

The dead man in the
parachute that scares the boys as the beast also appears as a Christ figure on the cross
when described.