Lord of the Flies has gotten to an extremely dramatic point in chapter 8 and 9. Mr. Keating said, "The author will try to build the mood in a story." As we read the story from day 1 to now, the mood surely has built up to a striking halt. One of the most important things is that we unravel Simon's death. The sudden death was completely unexpected.
We knew that Simon was a Christ-figure since the beginning. Simon was thought to be a Christ figure, Mr. Keating claimed, because of his act of selflessness and kindness. Simon also showed his braveness when he considered everyone should go up to the mountain to kill the beast. Everyone disagrees. Later on, Simon goes up to the mountain himself, and finds out the beast is nothing but a dead body attached to a parachute. He wanted to let the other know that the beast wasn't at all what they thought it was. Unfortunately, the worst think that could possibly happen to Simon...happen. White the boys are dancing wildly in a circle, Simon stumbles in the circle trying to tell the children what he'd just saw. The children mistake Simon as the beast, and kill him. "Kill the beast. Cut his throat. Spill his blood..." are the painful words that are whispered to us whenever we remember Simon's death. Simon is then ostracized and jettisoned from his group, and cast out into the ocean. 
Simon was referred as a Christ-like figure
In English class, we did a reflection on Simon's death. The first question was, "Why does Golding choose Simon to be killed?" Here are a few of my answers.
*** Simon was known as a Christ-like figure.
*** He was one of the only thoughtful kids.
*** He was one of the only thoughtful kids.
*** He wasn't violent like the rest.
Question 2 was, "Why is this significant?"
*** Simon had a life relative to Jesus's. Jesus was killed because of his beliefs, and he was "gaining too much power" since others followed his beliefs. On the other hand, Simon was killed because he knew the truth about the beast, but was mistaken for the beast and ripped to shreds.
In chapter 8, Simon sits alone with a sow head swarming with flies. This sow head begins to "talk" to him, claiming evil rests within every human being and the sow promises to have some "fun" with Simon. Simon thought this sow as very candid, because he thought the sow was speaking the truth and was frightened by it. As for Jesus, he comes up to a man possessed by the devil. Jesus asks for the man’s name. The devil, inside the man, speaks through his voice. "My name is Beelzebub, Lord of the Flies." Jesus is then tempted by the devil in the events leading to his death, similar to Simon. 
A sow head
*** The other children would have probably freaked out if they saw the beast, unlike Simon. They most likely wouldn't have even gone alone like how Simon did. Plus, if they saw the dead parachuter, they would have instantly tried to kill the beast. The other children are utter maniacs; no doubt they would have murdered the parachuter since they murdered Simon (by mistake). That's why Golding chose Simon as the founder of the beast. He's understanding. Simon isn't the type of kid who would immediately want to kill the beast, cut his throat, and bash him in.
This whole idea is comparative to Halloween, and the month of October...which is this month. As we all know, October is the spookiest time of the year. Once the story began to get more into this idea of the beast, it immediately reminded me of Halloween. It's ironic how we were reading these chapters in the month of October, or Halloween month. It's almost as we, as in the class, are telling "scary stories" about beasts and devils. The dressing up on Halloween can be similar to the children on the island becoming new (but not improved) people, just like how Jack put on his mask and changed into a different person. During Halloween, we can see copious decorations on our neighbors lawns. Such decorations could include R.I.P. signs. We could pretend as if the R.I.P. signs were for Simon and the parachuter's death.
Halloween Masks
In chapter 8, Jack's group was mentioned. The author describes how the boys had black caps, just as how they did in the beginning of the story. The boys in the black caps mentioned in chapter 8 bring some significance to the story. The black caps could mean that the boys returned to the "dark side." This can display what their loyalty to Jack is, too. The boys decided to follow Jack...the bad guy...the enemy. Considering the boys aren't wearing cheerful, bright colored hats, this scene expunges happiness and joy. This occurrence shows that Ralph is the good side. The darkness of the black caps signifies the dark side, and Ralph in this case is the brighter side.
The dark side in Star Wars
People who gossip on a daily basis can be referred as turning to the dark side. Most people will always talk or hear about gossip...whether it's about you or someone else. Once you start it, you've instantly turned to a darker side that your not used to. Who knows, some people are used to this and it has no effect on them. Gossip can hurt others, and can hurt yourself. So, once YOU start it, you're in for it. You better be willing to get some karma in return, because there's no stopping what goes around, comes around.
The song "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye is one of the #1 songs about gossip, and what goes around comes around.
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