William golding s biography
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From his early struggles as a writer to his eventual success and recognition, this article aims to provide a thorough understanding of the man behind the words.
Early Life and Education
William Golding was born on September 19, 1911, in St. Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. William Golding: The Man and His Books: A Tribute on His 75th Birthday.
His debut novel, “Lord of the Flies,” published in 1954, received critical acclaim and won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1980. This change of view would be used to write his most famous book, Lord of the Flies.
Writing
After his return from the war, Golding began in earnest to write, but threw away his first three novels as “rubbish.” His fourth novel, Lord of the Flies, was rejected by more than twenty publishers, before becoming one of the largest selling books of the decade.
His works have left a lasting impact on the literary world and continue to be relevant today, exploring timeless themes of power, morality, and the human condition.
Other Major Works
In addition to his most famous work, Lord of the Flies, William Golding wrote several other notable novels throughout his career.
Despite these challenges, however, he remained fiercely committed to his craft, producing some of the most powerful and enduring works of literature of the 20th century. He emphasized the need for writers to be honest and to challenge societal norms in their work. Later in life, William would describe his childhood self as a brat, even going so far as to say, “I enjoyed hurting people.”
After primary school, William went on to attend Brasenose College at Oxford University.
Based on the premise that human nature, including that of well-bred children, is inherently evil, this book delivers a frightening view of mankind. By examining these archival materials, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of Golding’s life and legacy, and shed new light on his contributions to literature.
Interviews and Speeches
Throughout his life, William Golding gave numerous interviews and speeches, providing insight into his writing process and the themes present in his works.
He later attended Oxford University as an undergraduate at Brasenose College, where he studied Natural Sciences and English Literature.
William Golding
(1911-1993)
Who Was William Golding?
William Golding started teaching English and philosophy in Salisbury in 1935.
He left the draft of a novel, The Double Tongue, which was published posthumously (Faber, 1996). Another notable collaboration was with playwright Harold Pinter, who adapted Golding’s novel The Birthday Party for the stage. Jack pulls out a knife, but hesitates, allowing it to escape. Though his family later moved from Cornwall, he studied the Cornish language as a young man.
Most of the older boys eventually leave "Ralph's tribe" to join "Jack's tribe." This new tribe hunts down a pig, and they decide to host a feast. Other archives that hold important materials related to Golding include the British Library, the Bodleian Library at Oxford University, and the University of Exeter’s Special Collections.
Golding demonstrates how both operate in his fiction, cutting through the veneer of human "civilization" to reveal a capacity for violence that is both disturbing, yet all too familiar. He struggled with alcoholism for much of his adult life, and this addiction strained his relationships with his family and friends.
Golding also wrote a trilogy of novels set in the fictional town of Midwich, including The Midwich Cuckoos, which was adapted into the film Village of the Damned. The novel’s exploration of the darker aspects of human nature and the breakdown of societal norms has resonated with readers for decades.
Golding’s other works, such as The Inheritors and Pincher Martin, also delve into themes of morality and the human condition.
He also had to create a cast of characters that were believable and relatable.