Simon Snow (Character)

**Simon Snow** is the leading protagonist of both Carry On (by Rainbow Rowell) and the (fictional) Simon Snow series, by Gemma T. Leslie. He's a young mage with incredible magical power, though he is unable to control it properly, which often results in a large, unintended outburst of energy referred to by the characters as him "going off." His roommate, Baz Pitch, says that he is, "The worst Chosen One that has ever been chosen."

He loves sour cherry scones and the song "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley.

## Physical Appearance

Simon is described as having brown curly hair, which is often referred to as bronze. His hair is cut short on the sides of his head and longer on the top. However, in *Wayward Son*, he lets it grow out. He has blue eyes, and is said to have some moles on his face. In a description on Simon, Baz says that he has "three moles on his right cheek, two underneath his left ear, one over his left eye, and then some".

He stands at 5'10" (180 centimeters) tall. He is at least three inches shorter than Baz.

Towards the end of *Carry On*, Simon loses his magic in the process of defeating the main villain of the series, the Insidious Humdrum. Though Simon is considered a Normal and is unable to open the gates at Watford, he has a tail and wings that cannot be removed by magic.

His wings are described as "red and leathery, with grey spikes at the hinges." They are similar to those of the dragon that attacks Watford earlier in the book, possibly because Simon was thinking about the dragon when he created them.

His tail, however, is not similar to that of a dragon. It is red, long, and has a black spade at the end.

Later on in the book, we see instances of Simon controlling his tail. According to Baz, it tends to slash around when he's upset. Baz also describes his tail at the base a "proper handful" and "sensitive" (as in, it gives Simon sexual pleasure when rubbed, etc.) as written in *Any Way The Wind Blows.*

## Early Life

Simon grew up an orphan living in care homes. It is presumed that Simon didn't speak much, if at all, when he was a child as he saw a speech therapist, noting that some kids in care just never learned to talk without parents. Instead, he found it easier to just take what he wanted or get into fights when someone was hurting him.

When he turned 11, The Mage came to tell him who he was and bring him to Watford for his first year. Afterward, Simon was expected to get himself to school every year.

Once he began attending Watford School of Magicks, he spent only his summers in various care homes, and never the same home twice. The various care home administrators seem to believe that Simon went to a school for "dire offenders".

At least one children's home Simon stayed in was near Pendle Hill in Lancashire, England.

## Watford

### First Year

The Mage came to retrieve Simon from his care home at age 11 for his first year at Watford. The Mage made Simon his heir to get him into the school and have him entered into the Book of Magic.

During this year, Simon accidentally slayed a dragon.

### Second Year

The Mage insisted that Simon could get himself to school each year after slaying a dragon first year.

### Third Year

Baz used the "Cat got your tongue" spell on Simon twice. Baz describes it as a "wicked" spell, but it's not clear what exactly the spell does.

### Fifth Year

#### Chimera

At the beginning of the year, Baz lured Simon to the Wavering Wood, claiming he had information on Simon's parents. Baz had actually intended to scare Simon with a chimera, but the chimera attacked Baz instead. Simon and Baz fought the chimera together until Simon went off. The two woke up hours later in a blackened pit.

#### Stairs

Later in the year, Simon and Baz got into a fight at the stop of the stairs. One of Baz's punches sent Simon tumbling down the stairs. Simon believed Baz did this on purpose. When Baz's aunt Fiona asked him if he'd pushed Simon Snow down the stairs, Baz said that he did.

#### Recorder

In Spring of their fifth year, Simon followed Baz out onto the Lawn. Baz was hiding an old pocket tape recorder given to him by his aunt Fiona for the purpose of getting Simon out of the way, though Baz did not know how it worked. Just before Simon could speak, Philippa Stainton came up behind Simon saying "Hiya, Simon!" She began to squeak, as if "a lifetime of words were being ripped from her." Baz hit the stop button, but it was too late and Philippa's voice was gone. Baz returned the recorder to Fiona, who was unconcerned with the outcome. The Mage assured Simon and Miss Possibelf assured Baz that it wasn't permanent, but Philippa never returned to Watford. This was the last time Baz tried to permanently injure Simon.

### Sixth Year

Baz left a note for Simon in Agatha's handwriting to tell him to wait for her under the yew tree after dark. Simon was stuck outside in the cold all night with snow devils throwing chestnuts at his head until the drawbridge came down the next morning.

### Seventh Year

#### Polecat

Baz told Simon that Miss Possibelf was looking for him. Instead, Simon found a polecat in her office, which she then blamed him for. To get back at Baz, Simon put the polecat in Baz's wardrobe.

#### The Humdrum

Simon and Penelope were instantly transported by the Humdrum from the Wavering Wood to a magical dead, or dying, spot in Lancashire, England. The Humdrum appeared in front of them looking like 11 year old Simon and bouncing the same red rubber ball Simon carried around their first year. The Humdrum bounced the ball at Simon, who caught it and screamed at the Humdrum to show itself, believing the Humdrum was wearing his face to taunt him. The Humdrum laughed, and Penny took the ball and threw it down the hill, causing the Humdrum to chase it.

As soon as the Humdrum was gone, Simon picked up Penny and walked until they were out of the dead spot. Once out, Simon shouted "I wish I could fly" with magic, though it isn't an existing spell, and sprouted bony wings, "misshapen and overly feathered, with too many joints." Penny cast healing spells, then the pair flew to another town. Penny cast "Nonsense" on Simon's wings, which disintegrated. They then caught a train back to Watford, arriving in the middle of the end-of-year ceremony.

### Eighth Year

This is the year that takes place over the course of Carry On. Simon attended for the first term, but after defeating the Humdrum and losing his magic, Simon and Penny decided not to return for the second term, while Baz did. Agatha did not return either, leaving immediately from Watford after being attacked by the Mage and heading to America, where she settled in California.

## Magic

Simon claims that to be a good magician, you need a good vocabulary, to be able to think on your feet, to be brave enough to speak up, to have an ear for a solid turn of phrase, and to actually understand what you're saying. He doesn't remember when he learned to talk, but he remembers he used to see a speech therapist, presumably because he wasn't talking, or wasn't talking as well as he should be for his age. Because of this, Simon believes he doesn't have a good enough grasp on language and speaking to be a good magician, and that nothing about magic comes naturally to him, despite clearly having immense power.

Instead, his magic "goes off like a bomb." Those that have been around Simon when he goes off describe it as feeling like taking a shock. Penny can tell if Simon has gone off by the lingering smell of smoke. Some magicians seem to be more tolerant of Simon's magic than others. Agatha, for example, once had tics and twitches for a week after experiencing Simon's magic up close. Meanwhile, Penny only describes having tired muscles and smoke-scented hair. Baz describes Simon's magic as smoky, sticky, and "like green wood in a campfire."

Simon was given a bone wand with a wooden handle by the Mage. It was the Mage's father's wand. Simon and Penny believe that the reason the wand doesn't work well for him is because it's not tied to him by blood, however they don't know until much later that the Mage is his father and this is his grandfather's wand. He prefers to fight with The Sword of Mages over his wand.

Simon barely spoke during his first month at Watford, though some of his teachers noticed and gave him private lessons. However, the lessons didn't do much to help Simon progress. Students are expected to practice small spells during the summer, but Simon rarely did, finding it boring and pointless since it didn't seem to help his strange form of magic.

Penny says that the reason Normals tend to steer clear of Simon is because they sense his power and instinctively move away. On the other hand, magicians love the smell of magic and are incredibly attracted to Simon.

## Relationships

### Baz Pitch (Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch)

Baz Pitch meets Simon Snow when they're 11, arriving at Watford. He is chosen to be Simon's roommate by the Crucible.

It is not stated exactly when, but we presume it did not take long for Baz and Simon to start hating each other. It is assumed it was because Baz is the Heir of Pitch, one of the Old Families, and Simon is the Heir of the Mage; and the Old Families hate the Mage; but Baz also refers as Simon being very annoying, dumb and lots of other things, which certainly did not help.

While they’re in their fifth year, Baz realizes he is hopelessly in love with Simon. He hides his feelings by being more cruel towards Simon.

Baz and Simon have always been enemies, up until *Carry On*. Simon always worries about Baz’s plotting. He spends a great deal of time watching out for Baz’s potential traps and plans. In their fifth year, Simon suspects that Baz is a vampire. He follows him through the Catacombs for weeks in hopes of catching him in his evil deeds.

In *Carry On*, Simon and Penny agree on helping Baz find who killed his mother and turned him into a vampire.

In Chapter 44 of Carry On, the Humdrum sends a dragon to Watford. Simon launches at the dragon, trying to kill it, but Baz comes in and tells Simon not to hurt it. Baz then starts casting a nursery rhyme on the dragon to try to make the dragon leave. Surprisingly, Baz's magic is not powerful enough to do so, but he keeps trying with all that he can, until Simon lays his hand on Baz's shoulder. Simon lets Baz use his magic, which is something he had never done before.

By this time Simon's opinion about Baz is starting to change. It is mentioned many times that they're on a truce and are trying to help each other. Simon starts caring more about Baz throughout the time they are on the truce.

Later, to help Baz find his mother's murderer, Simon goes with him to his house during the Winter break. They find a clue that may lead to what they're trying to find. They talk to some vampires, but end up not getting much. Baz gets really frustrated and cries on the ride back home. Before they get to the Pitch Manor, though, Baz suddenly stops the car and gets out, still crying. Simon follows him and finds him a bit later, surrounded by fire. Baz is convinced he is a monster and his mother would hate who he is now, and Simon tries to convince him otherwise. Simon then suddenly kisses Baz. When they stop kissing, Simon can't stop thinking that he wants to kiss Baz again. When Baz asks him why he did that, Simon admits that was simply because he wanted to.

They go back home and try to talk about what they're going to do to keep trying to find Baz's mom's murderer, though they go back to kissing. They end up kissing all night and talking all night.

Later, Agatha and Penny arrive at Baz's house to keep helping him try to find who killed his mother. Baz ends up admitting what happened to him in those first weeks of school, something that Simon didn't know. Later, Simon leaves with Agatha and Penny, even though he doesn't want to. Although, halfway, he just decides to get out of the car, because he's afraid Baz will deny what had happened between them and because he can't stop thinking about him. He goes by foot to the Pitch Manor and has dinner there.

After that, they talk, and Simon ends up asking Baz to be his boyfriend.

The following day the Humdrum attacks the Pitch Manor. Baz sees him for the first time, and finds out he's a younger version of Simon. When Simon wakes up, he goes outside and finds Baz and the Humdrum. Baz tells Simon has to go away because he's hungry for blood, magic and Simon. Simon and Baz start fighting which the Humdrum watches while explaining he gave Baz emptiness. After Simon gives Baz magic, the Humdrum disappears. They stay on the ground together and Baz asks Simon if he is the Humdrum. After the small talk they have Simon spells on a pair of wings and flies away, so he can stay safe.

He only sees Baz again after he's been with the Mage. Simon ends up having to give the Humdrum all of his magic and killing him. Baz comforts his boyfriend the best he can.

Simon saves the Magical World but has to give up his magic and have wings and a tail, and is worried Baz won't like him anymore. Baz says he'll love him forever.

Simon has an adversity to sexual engagement, described in *Wayward Son* and *Any Way the Wind Blows*. This is seemingly as a result of his trauma, mental health issues, and issues around his sexuality and body image. This is resolved at the end of *Any Way the Wind Blows*, when he and Baz engage in a fade-to-black style sexual encounter.

Simon does not use labels to describe his sexuality.

### Penelope Bunce

Penelope is Simon's best friend. Simon often refers to Penelope as "Penny" and sometimes also calls her "Pen". They met in their first year, as Simon was having troubles in their Magic Words class. She felt sorry for him, as he was holding his wand backwards. Her mother had also told her to stay away from Simon because no one knew where he came from and he could be dangerous, which only made her want to be friends with Simon more.

During *Carry On*, Penelope often sneaks into Simon's room whilst his roommate, Baz, is missing. Simon, though, doesn't know how she does it, as girls and boys aren't allowed to go into each other's bedrooms or houses. Penny and Simon have a close almost sibling like relationship.

At the end of the novel, Simon and Penelope rent a flat together and Baz does not help them move in. (He's there, but he doesn't help).

### Agatha Wellbelove

Agatha was Simon's first and only girlfriend. Simon says that he fell in love the moment he saw her, and that someone like her would never be with someone like him. They started dating when they were 15 years old.

In their last year at school, their relationship isn't that good, as the year before Simon saw her holding hands with Baz in the Wavering Wood before he was summoned by the Humdrum. This leads him to him thinking that she loves Baz and not him. They break up due to an argument in the first book, *Carry On*.

Simon and Agatha first became friends because Agatha's father invited Simon to spend the two week winter holiday with them every year.

### Dr. and Mrs. Wellbelove

Simon spent every Christmas at the Wellbelove's home from his first year at Watford through his seventh. Agatha's father, Dr. Wellbelove, invited Simon to spend the two week holiday with the family every year, leading Simon and Agatha to become friends.

Simon likes spending Christmas with the family. Mrs. Wellbelove gives him nice clothes for Christmas and Dr. Wellbelove likes to talk to him about his future.

### The Mage

The Mage is the first person to introduce Simon to the World of Mages. Simon looks up to him a lot (Simon sees him as a father figure, the only thing close to anything that Simon has got) and is his heir. The Mage made Simon his heir so that he could be allowed into Watford; this is why Simon has the Sword of Mages, as it is traditionally given to the Mage's heir. However, at the end of the book we find out that the Mage was corrupt and was the one who sent the vampires to Watford and he then tries to take Simon's power and kills Ebb the goatherd.

It is later revealed that Simon is in fact his actual biological son. Simon has yet to find this out.

### Ebb Petty

Simon began helping Ebb with goat herding during his second year. Simon gave Ebb a goat knick-knack for Christmas in his second year. She loved it so much that he brought her a little animal knick-knack every Christmas for a few years.

After her death, Simon admits that he'd never fully recovered or even fully realized the emotions that were tied to her loss.

## Trivia:

* In *Fangirl*, in "The Fifth Hare," Simon is listed as having the middle name of Oliver. However in *Carry On*, Lucy Salisbury, through memories, states that Snow is his middle name, and unbeknownst to him his actual last name would have been Salisbury. Which is the only name we have to go on, as we don't know the Mage's (Davy's) last name.
* Simon likes sour cherry scones a lot. They are top on his list of things he missed about Watford.
* Simon likes butter a lot. He puts a lot of butter in his scones and says that, if he could, he'd eat butter with a spoon. (He says he did that once.)
* Simon isn't sure of his sexuality when he first kisses Baz. We know that he probably isn't gay, as he did go out with Agatha before his relationship with Baz.
* Simon kisses Baz in Chapter 61, being Baz's first kiss.
* Simon didn't break up with Agatha even when he stopped loving her because it "wasn't her fault" and he thinks she didn't deserve that.
* According to Rainbow Rowell, he and Baz are both right-handed.

## References

1. ↑ Carry On (hardcover), Chapter 26, Page 138
2. ↑ Carry On (hardcover), Chapter 36, Page 194
3. ↑ Carry On (hardcover), Chapter 17, Page 107
4. ↑ Carry On (hardcover), Chapter 1, Page 5
5. ↑ Carry On (hardcover), Chapter 30, Page 162
6. ↑ https://rainbowrowell.tumblr.com/post/685619473644945408/