William Golding's Island of Savagery
13 hours ago
- #Literature
- #Human Nature
- #Dystopia
- William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' (1954) explores the thin veneer of civilization and humanity's propensity for savagery.
- Golding's wartime experiences in the Royal Navy during WWII profoundly influenced his pessimistic view of human progress and rationality.
- The novel depicts schoolboys descending into brutality on an uninhabited island, symbolizing the broader human condition.
- Golding's works often engage with history, blending fiction and historical themes, as seen in 'The Inheritors' and 'The Spire'.
- He critiqued the notion of inevitable human progress, arguing that technological advancement often comes at the cost of morality.
- Golding's characters frequently face the destructive consequences of their curiosity or ambition, mirroring humanity's cyclical struggles.
- Despite his bleak outlook, Golding suggested that confronting our past and flaws could offer a path to redemption.