Lord of the Flies – by William Golding background notes! Take them, as they’re pertinent for the test! background notes! Take them, as they’re pertinent for the test!

William Golding’s background and origins Born September 19, 1911, in St. Columb, Cornwall, England; died of a heart attack, June 19, 1993, in Perranarworthal, near Falmouth, EnglandBorn September 19, 1911, in St. Columb, Cornwall, England; died of a heart attack, June 19, 1993, in Perranarworthal, near Falmouth, England College in Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1930, intending on getting a degree in the sciences; switched to English Literature after a few years of studyCollege in Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1930, intending on getting a degree in the sciences; switched to English Literature after a few years of study Taught English and Philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England from and Taught English and Philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England from and Nickname at school: “Schoolie”Nickname at school: “Schoolie”

World War II Served 5 years in the Royal Navy (starting in 1940) during World War II, which colored his experiences and shaped his interest in barbarism and evil within humanity.Served 5 years in the Royal Navy (starting in 1940) during World War II, which colored his experiences and shaped his interest in barbarism and evil within humanity. Present at the sinking of the BismarckPresent at the sinking of the Bismarck Participated in the D-Day invasionParticipated in the D-Day invasion Asked what he did as a commander of a rocket-launching craft, Golding responded “I survived…”, and that “World War II was the turning point for me. I began to see what people were capable of doing.Asked what he did as a commander of a rocket-launching craft, Golding responded “I survived…”, and that “World War II was the turning point for me. I began to see what people were capable of doing.

Lord of the Flies (1954) Was rejected by 21 publishers before Faber & Faber accepted the 43- year-old’s book.Was rejected by 21 publishers before Faber & Faber accepted the 43- year-old’s book. His first novel, it was also the most famous and well-regarded of his worksHis first novel, it was also the most famous and well-regarded of his works Won the 1954 Nobel Prize for literature (about 1-2 million dollars, depending on donations for that year)Won the 1954 Nobel Prize for literature (about 1-2 million dollars, depending on donations for that year) Turned him into one of the most popular and influential British authors post-WWIITurned him into one of the most popular and influential British authors post-WWII Group of schoolboys who are marooned on a tropical island during a fictional “Cold War-is- actually-happening” timelineGroup of schoolboys who are marooned on a tropical island during a fictional “Cold War-is- actually-happening” timeline Widely-interpreted and known for its themes of barbarism, society, religion, and the fragility of civilizationWidely-interpreted and known for its themes of barbarism, society, religion, and the fragility of civilization

Homages, References, and Inspirations of LoTF R.M. Ballantyne’s The Coral Island (1857)R.M. Ballantyne’s The Coral Island (1857) Reverses Ballantyne’s theory that the purity and innocence of youth will help society remain civil under even the worst conditionsReverses Ballantyne’s theory that the purity and innocence of youth will help society remain civil under even the worst conditions LoTF was Golding’s “answer” to Ballantyne’s book, and even shares some character names and plotlinesLoTF was Golding’s “answer” to Ballantyne’s book, and even shares some character names and plotlines LoTF, then, is “an allegory on human society today, the novel's primary implication being that what we have come to call civilization is, at best, not more than skin-deep," as James Stern explains in a New York Times Book Review article.LoTF, then, is “an allegory on human society today, the novel's primary implication being that what we have come to call civilization is, at best, not more than skin-deep," as James Stern explains in a New York Times Book Review article. Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe (1719)Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe (1719) An adventure tale – stranded, alone on an islandAn adventure tale – stranded, alone on an island Richard Hughes’ A High Wind in Jamaica (1929)Richard Hughes’ A High Wind in Jamaica (1929)

Critical Reception Has been described “as pessimistic, mythical, spiritual- an allegorist who uses his novels as a canvas to paint portraits of man’s constant struggle between his civilized self and his hidden, darker nature” ("Golding, William ( )." Some say his novels are “rigged,” and fall flat because its thesis overshadows its drama. James Tait Black Memorial Prize (1980) for Darkness Visible McConnell Prize (1982) for A Moving Target Won Nobel Prize (1983) for body of work Knighted (1988)

Themes / Symbols LoTF’s central theme pits the forces of light and dark within the human soul against each otherLoTF’s central theme pits the forces of light and dark within the human soul against each other Some refer to his novels as fables or myths- they are laden with symbols (usually spiritual or religious in nature) that can be interpreted on multiple, complex levels.Some refer to his novels as fables or myths- they are laden with symbols (usually spiritual or religious in nature) that can be interpreted on multiple, complex levels. Golding provides in Time a simple exegis of his book. "The theme," he says, "is an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature."Golding provides in Time a simple exegis of his book. "The theme," he says, "is an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature." Some see Biblical implications – Christ figures, symbols, and “a complex and modern version of the story of Cain, in which Cain represents contemporary man, and not merely a remote ancestor.”Some see Biblical implications – Christ figures, symbols, and “a complex and modern version of the story of Cain, in which Cain represents contemporary man, and not merely a remote ancestor.”

Works Cited "Golding, William ( )." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Ed. Suzanne M. Bourgoin. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale Research, vols.Discovering Collection. Gale. Waconia High School. 12 Apr. 2010