Simon Costigan: The Patient Heart of 'Beautiful World, Where Are You'

Overview

Simon Costigan is a quietly central figure in Sally Rooney’s Beautiful World, Where Are You. A religious, kind-hearted man who has loved Eileen Lydon since adolescence, his patient devotion and moral clarity stand in stark contrast to the uncertainty and cynicism that surround him. By the novel’s end, he becomes Eileen’s partner, but the path to that commitment is long and shaped by self‑sacrifice, faith, and a deep fear of being needed.

Plot Role

Simon functions as both a love interest and an emotional anchor for Eileen, a foil to the more abrasive Felix Brady, and a stabilizing presence within the group of friends. He enters the narrative in Chapter 3 when he meets Eileen for lunch; their conversation quickly reveals the intimacy and history between them. Throughout the novel, his reappearances often coincide with moments of crisis or reflection for Eileen, and his steady kindness helps ground her when she feels adrift. He also plays a key role in Alice’s life—visiting her during her hospital stay and remaining a dear friend—and engages in thoughtful, occasionally teasing exchanges with Felix during the group’s time in rural Ireland.

Motivations and Traits

Simon’s actions are consistently guided by his Catholic faith, his desire to protect those he loves, and a humility that borders on self‑negation. The novel shows him praying “to say thank you” (as he tells Alice), and in a moment of private anguish he begs God to let Eileen live a happy life, offering to do “anything” in return. His kindness is not performative: he drives Eileen home, makes endless cups of tea, and quietly cares for his apartment while juggling a demanding job. Yet he also admits a deep fear of being needed, as he confesses to Eileen during a late‑night conversation after Danielle’s party. This tension—between wanting to give everything and shrinking from the weight of another’s dependence—defines much of his emotional arc.

Chronological Arc

Simon and Eileen’s story begins in childhood in County Galway. A flashback in Chapter 3 recounts their teenage friendship, a bike ride where Eileen first confesses she feels safe with him, and his silent prayer that she will be happy. When she visits him in Paris at age twenty‑one, they sleep together for the first time; Eileen later describes this as the foundation of her sexuality. In the years that follow, Simon dates a woman named Natalie (who later accuses him of being “like living with depression”), and Eileen enters a long relationship with Aidan Lavin. Throughout, the two remain friends, exchanging postcards, phone calls, and text messages filled with affectionate teasing—such as Simon’s mock‑formal “Hi [Eileen], it was great seeing you on [Saturday]” and Eileen’s reply that men over thirty “text like they’re updating a LinkedIn profile.”

After Eileen’s breakup with Aidan, Simon becomes romantically involved with Caroline. At a party in Chapter 19, Eileen sees him and, hurt by the mention of Caroline, leaves early. Simon follows and offers to end things with Caroline if Eileen wants a real relationship; she instead proposes they remain friends. He agrees, but the decision leaves both of them raw. Later, in Chapter 26, they sleep together again, and Eileen reiterates her desire for friendship, explaining that she fears losing the “acorn‑sized” feeling of knowing he is in her life. Simon leaves her room heart‑sick, and the narration suggests he kneels on the floorboards, praying—or perhaps only asking God what is wanted of him.

The turning point comes during the group trip to Danielle’s house in Chapter 28. After the emotional confrontation between Alice and Eileen, Simon comforts Eileen and admits both his love and his fear of being needed. Felix also confesses his love for Alice, and the two couples begin to stabilize. By the time of the novel’s final letters—set during the pandemic—Eileen is pregnant, Simon has accepted the news with quiet joy, and the two are living together in anticipation of parenthood.

Relationships

Eileen Lydon: The most significant relationship of Simon’s life. From adolescence he sees her as irreplaceable; when she jokes that his future soulmate will require him to give Eileen up, he replies that he will “never find her, then.” Their dynamic is built on a lifetime of suppressed glances, shared jokes, and a deep, almost painful tenderness. The novel implies that Simon’s love transforms Eileen’s self‑image, helping her feel worthy of happiness.

Alice Kelleher: A dear friend. Simon visits Alice when she is hospitalized, and Alice later writes that she thinks of him as part of the “mystery” that makes Dublin beautiful. At Danielle’s party, he listens to Felix’s concerns about Alice and defends her, showing his protective loyalty.

Felix Brady: Their relationship is marked by playful tension. Felix teases Simon about his height and his faith (“Trying to be like Jesus again”), while Simon responds with dry humor. Despite their differences, they develop a mutual respect; Felix touches Simon’s hand in a moment of sympathy after Simon reveals Eileen’s rejection.

Caroline: Simon’s girlfriend during the middle of the novel. He ends the relationship to open the possibility of being with Eileen, demonstrating that his commitment to Eileen ultimately overrides his fear of solitude.

Family: The evidence shows Simon exchanging messages with his mother (“Your dad says you can give him a ring”) and borrowing his parents’ car. His family is a stable presence, though their background is not elaborated.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Not pursuing Eileen during her relationship with Aidan: Simon respects Eileen’s autonomy and avoids forcing a choice; this preserves their friendship but prolongs his own suffering.
Ending things with Caroline: After Eileen’s mixed signals, Simon ends his relationship with Caroline to be available, a decision that leaves him vulnerable.
Accepting Eileen’s proposal of friendship: He agrees even though it causes him pain, valuing her happiness and their bond over his romantic desires.
Finally committing to Eileen: When Eileen becomes pregnant and chooses to be with him, Simon embraces the role of partner and future father, overcoming his fear of being needed.

Themes and Symbolism

Simon embodies the novel’s exploration of love and vulnerability. His willingness to wait for Eileen, to endure rejection without resentment, and to open himself to being needed all illustrate the risks and rewards of deep emotional attachment. His religious faith—the prayers, the kneeling, the constant reference to Jesus—connects to the theme of crisis and meaning, as he seeks purpose and moral order in a world that often feels chaotic.

His background, while not explicitly class‑marked in the text, contrasts with Felix’s working‑class bluntness and Eileen’s middle‑class insecurity; these differences are gently teased in conversations about gym habits and social codes, touching on class and capitalism. Simon’s long, patient friendship also speaks to friendship and isolation: he remains a constant presence even when romance is impossible, and that constancy is what Eileen ultimately values most.

Five Key Questions

How does Simon’s faith shape his relationship with Eileen?
Simon prays for Eileen’s happiness and sees their connection through a lens of gratitude and moral duty. His faith gives him patience and a framework for self‑sacrifice, though it also creates a private struggle between desire and humility.
Why does Simon accept Eileen’s decision to remain friends?
He prioritizes her happiness and their long‑standing bond over his romantic hopes. As he tells her, he is “very grown‑up about these things,” but the text shows his deep hurt afterward, indicating that acceptance is an act of love rather than indifference.
What role does Simon play in Alice’s life?
Simon is a loyal friend who visits Alice during her hospital stay and remains in contact afterward. Alice writes that his presence in Dublin makes the city feel beautiful to her, suggesting he is a source of emotional grounding for her as well.
How does Simon’s personality contrast with Felix’s?
Simon is reserved, polite, and religious; Felix is blunt, cynical, and secular. Their interactions—Felix teasing Simon about his height and faith, Simon responding with calm humor—highlight different approaches to life, yet both characters ultimately reveal vulnerability and capacity for love.
What does Simon’s arc reveal about love?
Simon’s journey suggests that lasting love requires patience, self‑sacrifice, and the courage to be needed. His eventual happiness with Eileen rewards a devotion that never demanded reciprocation, illustrating the novel’s belief in the transformative power of ordinary, committed care.

For more detailed analysis, see the full book guide, the ending explained, and the questions and answers page.