Binary Oppositions In Rites Of Passage-a Deconstructive Perspective

This paper, with a deconstructive approach of three pairs of binary opposition inRites of Passage, attempts to provide a panoramic revelation of human nature inGolding’s portrayal for the ambivalence and the ambiguity caused by conflicts ofcharacters, points of view and genres. Centering around the theory of binaryopposition held by Jacques Derrida, this paper first subverts the class distinctionbetween Talbot and Colley, foreshadowing the collapse of the time-worn institution isto come in due time; and the thesis proceeds to elaborate on the parallel ofsupplementary narrations which join hand in hand to uncover the truth which has beenambushed at arm’s length; in the ensuing part, the gap between comedy and tragedy iscollapsed by a balance of doubled charm of sunny, enthusiastic comedy anddestructive, compassionate tragedy. Within the three pairs of binary opposition, thethesis offers a disclosure of Golding’s mature understanding and light optimism inhuman nature that good and evil are intrinsic, different from traditional view of hisabsolute condemnation on humanity.