From Innocence To Degeneration

William Golding is one of the most prominent British modernism novelists. His works are widely integrated into elements of classical literature, mythology, Christianity and symbolism. The theme of his works mainly pertains to darkness and wickedness, relating to the issues of humanity. His first novel Lord of the Flies (1954) emphasizes his traditional subject matter—the struggle of human innate barbarism and rational civilization. Nowadays, it is continually explored by the scholars at home and abroad. This thesis, which based on the former awareness, gives a more comprehensive study on Golding's Lord of the Flies. Chapter one sets out to make a general retrospection of other scholars'studies on Golding and Lord of the Flies, and then followed by the arguments of the thesis.The next three chapters are parts of arguments and demonstration:how religious thoughts and psychological approaches develop and express in the novel would be representatively introduced. After that, the argument of "humanity is evil" is to be revealed. Chapter five is the conclusion, where the significance of human nature in the novel is re-emphasized; on the other hand, the importance and developments of interdisciplinary research summarized. In all, Lord of the Flies has its realistic meanings both in the past and contemporary society.