Concetti Chiave
- Golding's theory on human nature suggests that man is inherently savage and evil, only restrained by the rules of civilized society.
- He believed that isolation from society reveals man's true nature, free from moral laws, and that peace and love are mere illusions.
- Golding was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983 for his novels that explore the human condition with realistic narrative art and mythological diversity.
- Born in 1911 in Cornwall, Golding initially studied science at Oxford before shifting to English literature, graduating in 1935.
- The experience of World War II profoundly influenced Golding's view on the destructiveness of human nature, a central theme in his works.
What is Golding's theory on human nature?
The passage of the novel reveals one of the principal theories of Golding: man is not innocent, not even in his childhood; he kills the instinct of savagery, of evil within himself. Only civilized life imposes rules of democracy and co-operation. In isolation, far from civilized society, man reverts to his inmost nature, free from any moral laws. A world of peace and natural love is only mere illusion. In 1983 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature "for his novels which, with the perspicuity of realistic narrative art and diversity and universality of myth, illuminate the human in the world of today".
Golding's life and education
William Golding was born in Cornwall in 1911. He attended Marlborough College, a public school, and then entered Brasenose College, Oxford, to read science. After two years, however, he decided to change to the study of the humanities, specializing in English literature, and taking his degree in 1935.
Until 1940 he worked as a schoolteacher, then he joined the Royal Navy, where he saw active service and participated in a number of important actions. The war was a decisive event in his growth to maturity: it left him with a shocked sense of the violence and destructiveness of human nature, which is one of the central themes of all his books. He , in fact, wrote in one of his essays: "Man is a fallen being. He is gripped to original sin. His nature is sinful". After the war he returned to school teaching in a grammar school in Salisburg, in the south-west of England. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1983, and was knighted by the Queen in 1988. He died at Falmouth (Cornwall) on June 19th 1993.
Among his works we have:
The Inheritors (1955)
Pincher Martin
Free Fall
The Spire
Lord of the Flies (1954).
Domande da interrogazione
- What is the central theme of Golding's theory on human nature as depicted in his works?
- How did Golding's experiences influence his views on human nature?
- What recognition did Golding receive for his contributions to literature, and what themes did his works illuminate?
Golding's theory suggests that humans are inherently not innocent, even from childhood, and possess an instinct for savagery and evil. Civilization imposes rules that suppress these instincts, but in isolation, humans revert to their true nature, free from moral laws.
Golding's experiences in the Royal Navy during World War II profoundly impacted his perception of human nature, leaving him with a deep awareness of its violence and destructiveness. This theme is central to his literary works, reflecting his belief in humanity's inherent sinfulness.
William Golding was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983 for his novels that illuminate human nature with realistic narrative art and universal myth. His works explore themes of human savagery and the illusion of a peaceful, naturally loving world.
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