Final answer:
In 'Lord of the Flies,' Simon dies when the other boys brutally attack him, mistaking him for the beast during a ritual dance.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Lord of the Flies, Simon's death is a tragic and poignant moment that highlights the descent into savagery of the boys stranded on the island. Simon dies after his encounter with the Lord of the Flies, the sow's head, when he comes to a realization about the beast. He rushes to tell the other boys that the beast is not a physical entity, but rather a manifestation of their own inner savagery. However, in the frenzy of a ritual dance, the boys mistake Simon for the beast and, in a state of collective hysteria, they brutally attack and kill him, thus mistaking their friend for the very monster they fear.