Essays on William Golding

September 19, 1911, Newquay, United Kingdom

June 19, 1993, Tullimaar House (William Golding), Perranarworthal, United Kingdom

Schoolteacher, Novelist, Playwright, Poet

Survivalist Fiction, Robinsonade, Adventure, Sea Story, Science Fiction, Essay, Historical Fiction, Stageplay, Poetry

• Rites of Passage
• Lord of the Flies

• "Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy."
• "The greatest ideas are the simplest."
• "My yesterdays walk with me. They keep step, they are gray faces that peer over my shoulder."

19 September 1911 – 19 June 1993

William Golding was a British novelist, playwright, and poet. Best known for his debut novel Lord of the Flies (1954), he published another twelve volumes of fiction in his lifetime. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983.

“Lord of the Flies”, "Rites of Passage", “Darkness Visible”, “Free Fall”, “Pincher Martin”, “The Inheritors”, “The Spire”

The recurring themes in most of Golding's pieces are loss, death, loss of innocence, violence, and power. Perhaps the biggest underlying theme is the idea about the true nature of mankind. Golding explores the idea that mankind is innately evil and that it is only the contrast of society and civilization that prevents that nature from being prevalent.

William Golding adopted a distinctive writing style, avoiding complex structures, heavy use of poetic devices and exaggeration. Rather, his allegorical style and symbolism set him apart from the other authors.

Golding left an enduring legacy on popular culture, including music, television, cinema, and even video games. He was honored with awards such as the 'James Tait Black Memorial Prize' in 1979, the Booker Prize in 1980, and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983.

}"Maybe there is a beast… maybe it's only us.”
“My yesterdays walk with me. They keep step, they are gray faces that peer over my shoulder.”
“The thing is - fear can't hurt you any more than a dream.”