Destruction And Redemption On The Island

William Golding is one of the most famous and influential British novelists inthe20thcentury. In his long time writing career, he altogether produced eleven novelswhich are concerned with the issues of society and human nature. Due to hiscontribution to literature, he was awarded many honors such as the BookerMcConnell Prize, the most prestigious award for English literature. In1983, hismasterpiece Lord of the Flies helped him win the Nobel Prize.Lord of the Flies should not be read as merely an adventure story for children butas a moral allegory on humanity. Because the evolution of the island societycorresponds to that of human history. This thesis tries to analyze Golding’s ethicalideas and ethical thoughts reflected in Lord of the Flies with the method of EthicalLiterary Criticism mainly including professor Nie’s articles about ethical literarycriticism, Aristotelian virtue ethics, ecological ethics and Christian ethics.This thesis consists of five parts.The first chapter is the introduction chapter. This part briefly presents the life ofWilliam Golding and his major literary contribution, and literature review on thisnovel. Besides, this part also sketches the development of Ethical Literary Criticism,and the research problems which should be solved.Chapter2attempts to analyze the turn of ethical environment in the islandcommunity and the root cause of the destruction of the island society. At first, whenreason and mercy to life dominate, Ralph’s democratic government evolves with thevirtues of duty and justice. However, when instinct overwhelms reason, Jack’smilitary government takes shape, the ethical environment turns to that of tyranny andcruelty. This thesis clarifies the ethical choice from human to animal will finally leadto destruction of human community.Chapter3sets to explore the root cause of change of natural environment on theisland from ecological ethics. The first part presents the beauty and generosity of theisland, and people’s harmonious coexisting with nature. The second part illustratesthat under the contempt for nature and breaking of the ecological balance, theparadise-like island will finally turn to a slaughterhouse.Chapter4aims to uncover Golding’s implied suggestion on how to redeemhumanity. The first part introduces Simon which is a Christ-like character, and from Simon, this dissertation tries to reveal Golding’s ethical ideal which is the way torestore humanity lies in religion. The second part illustrates ethical significance of thenovel against its particular historical background, which is that after the wars destroyhuman beings’ material world and spiritual world, only religion can save people andgive them the light of hope.Chapter5makes a summary of the above chapters. In the novel, by depicting thedarkness of human nature, Golding voices his deep concern toward human societyand environment. Through the novel he also sheds the light of hope on spiritualsalvation for human being.