Discuss the importance of Simon's clearing to him and to the novel, "Lord of the Flies".

Simon is the moral character in this novel.  He realizes what the boys do not.  He knows that the beast is within them.  The boys think it is an actual monster of some sort.  Because Simon has this ability to understand beyond what the others can, he is known as the Christ symbol.  He needs his place of peace.  This is where he is able to see the true beauty of the island.  He understands what is happening on the island, and this is his one place to get away from the others to see it all clearly.