William Golding

1) Cornwall, England Sept. 19, 1911 [d. 1993]

2) English novelist, an essayist and poet, and winner of the 1983 Nobel

Prize for literature.

3) Often allegorical fiction makes broad use of allusions to classical literature, mythology, and Christian symbolism.

4) Golding deals principally with evil and emerges with what has been characterized as a kind of dark optimism.

5) Golding's first novel, Lord of the Flies (1954; film, 1963), introduced one of the recurrent themes of his fiction--the conflict between humanity's innate barbarism and the civilizing influence of reason.

6) Golding explores fundamental problems of existence, such as survival and human freedom.

His Life and Sources of InspirationHis Life and Sources of Inspiration

Golding studied English literature and philosophy at Oxford

Served in the Royal Navy during World War II.

He was a schoolmaster and lecturer.

In addition to his novels, he has published a play, The Brass Butterfly (1958); a book of verse, Poems (1934); and the essay collections The Hot Gates (1965) and A Moving Target (1982).

The Lord of the Flies gains popularity during the 1960’s.

World War II and Golding’s experiences give him inspiration later to write the book

Countercultureand college students helpto increase thebook’s popularity.

- Themes and symbolismThemes and symbolism

- Childhood to mass destruction and the Childhood to mass destruction and the loss of civilization.loss of civilization.