Sea Power And Empire In William Golding’s Sea Trilogy

As one of the renowned authors in the twentieth century,William Golding made valuable contributions to British literature by producing thirteen novels in his more than fifty years of literary composition.In the 1980s,Golding spent nine years finishing the sea trilogy:To the Ends of the Earth,comprising Rites of Passage(1980),Close Quarters(1987),and Fire Down Below(1989).This thesis intends to interpret To the Ends of the Earth by applying A.T.Mahan’s sea power theory as well as some concepts in post-colonial studies to argue that the sea trilogy has very significant implications for the British empire building.The main body of the thesis can be divided into five chapters.The first chapter briefly introduces William Golding and his literary work,roughly traces the academic research home and abroad on William Golding and To the Ends of the Earth.,expounds A.T.Mahan’s sea power theory,and puts forward the layout of the thesis.The second chapter explores Golding’s thoughts of sea power and imperial consciousness in Rites of Passage.The novel is a representative of national interests,revealing William Golding’s national awareness,awareness of sea power,and awareness of colonial territory expansion.The third chapter explores Golding’s imperial imagination in Close Quarters.The author argues that a strong strategically deterrent naval force should be constructed to protect the British fleet and shipping safety.In addition,the novel is filled with maritime warfare fancy,reflecting the UK’s desire to defeat other enemies at sea.A global blueprint for sea hegemony is presented where numerous shipping routes,global seaports,and global factories are envisioned.The fourth chapter analyzes imperial expansion in Fire Down Below.A global empire of business is formed,which contains waterways,ports,ships,merchants,etc.,providing the mother-country with financial and material resources.The imperial culture projects a cultural authority,including the popularity of Christian in the colonial system,making people in the empire extremely influenced by imperial views and attitudes.An empire of land,business,and culture is expanded via its strong sea power.Chapter five is the conclusion of the thesis.The sea trilogy expresses Golding’s imperial dream in the 1980s,an era marking the end of the British Empire.