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Los
08/08/2022
English Literature
lord of the flies context research
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8 Aug 2022
•
Fun Facts and Stories: William Golding's Life and 'Lord of the Flies'
Los
@los
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William Golding's Teaching Career and World War II Experience
William Golding's job history began with a brief stint in settlement houses and theatre before he decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a teacher. In 1935, he took a position teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury. This experience would prove crucial in shaping his future literary work.
Highlight: Golding's experience teaching unruly young boys would later serve as inspiration for his novel "Lord of the Flies," published in 1954.
The outbreak of World War II in 1939 dramatically altered Golding's career path. In 1940, he temporarily left teaching to join the Royal Navy, where he would spend the next six years.
What did William Golding do in WW2? His wartime experiences were varied and intense:
- He spent most of the war on a boat, except for a seven-month stint in New York.
- Golding fought battleships during the sinking of the Bismarck.
- He fended off submarines and planes.
- As a Lieutenant, he was placed in command of a rocket-launching craft.
Quote: "I began to see what people were capable of doing. Anyone who moved through those years without understanding that man produces evil as a bee produces honey, must have been blind or wrong in the head," Golding said of his World War II experiences.
These experiences had a profound impact on Golding's worldview and would significantly influence his writing. The war exposed him to the darker aspects of human nature, a theme that would become central to "Lord of the Flies" and his other works.
After the war ended in 1945, Golding returned to teaching and writing, now armed with a deeper understanding of human behavior under extreme circumstances. This combination of his teaching experience and wartime observations would prove instrumental in the creation of his most famous novel.
Lord of the Flies and William Golding's Later Career
William Golding's first novel, "Lord of the Flies," was published in 1954 after being rejected by 21 publishers. This breakthrough work was heavily influenced by his experiences as a teacher and his time in World War II.
Highlight: "Lord of the Flies" tells the story of a group of English schoolboys stranded on a deserted island after a plane wreck, exploring the savage and evil side of human nature.
What inspired William Golding to write Lord of the Flies? Several factors contributed:
- His teaching experiences with young boys
- His observations of human behavior during World War II
- The post-war climate in Britain, including food rationing and the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union
- The loss of the British Empire and changing social dynamics
Example: The characters in "Lord of the Flies" reflect the personalities of students Golding encountered as a teacher.
How old was William Golding when he wrote Lord of the Flies? He was approximately 43 years old when the novel was published in 1954.
The novel's success led to several adaptations:
- In 1963, Peter Brook directed a film adaptation of the book.
- In 1990, a new film version was released, introducing the story to a new generation.
Golding's later career was marked by continued success and recognition:
- In 1983, at the age of 73, Golding was awarded the William Golding Nobel Prize for Literature.
- In 1988, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
Interesting facts about William Golding include his lifelong love for sailing, which developed during his time in the Royal Navy, and his initial struggle to gain recognition as a writer.
The novel "Lord of the Flies" continues to be widely read and studied, with numerous resources available for educators, including Lord of the Flies activities PDF, Lord of the Flies unit plan, and Fun activities Lord of the Flies to engage students with the text's themes and characters.
Early Life and Education of William Golding
William Golding's childhood experiences and early life were marked by a unique upbringing and early literary aspirations. Born on September 19, 1911, in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England, Golding grew up in an environment that would later influence his writing. He was raised in a 14th-century house adjacent to a graveyard, an setting that likely contributed to his later exploration of dark themes in his work.
Golding's parents played significant roles in shaping his early years. His mother was an active suffragette, fighting for women's right to vote, while his father worked as a schoolmaster. These William Golding parents instilled in him a sense of social awareness and the importance of education.
Highlight: At the age of 12, Golding made his first attempt at writing a novel, though unsuccessful.
Despite his early interest in writing, Golding's parents encouraged him to pursue natural sciences. This conflict between personal interests and parental expectations would become a recurring theme in his life.
Quote: "I enjoyed hurting people," Golding later said about his childhood self, describing himself as a "brat" who found an outlet in bullying his peers.
William Golding's education took him to Brasenose College at Oxford University, where he initially studied natural sciences to please his father. However, his passion for literature prevailed, and he switched to studying English literature in his second year.
Highlight: In 1934, a year before graduating, Golding published his first work, a book of poetry, which was largely overlooked by critics.
This early period of Golding's life set the stage for his future career as a writer and teacher, providing experiences and insights that would later inform his most famous work, "Lord of the Flies."
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Thomas R
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Fun Facts and Stories: William Golding's Life and 'Lord of the Flies'
Los
@los
William Golding's life and literary career were profoundly shaped by his experiences as a teacher and soldier. His most famous work, Lord of the Flies, drew inspiration from these experiences to explore the darker aspects of human nature.
- Born... Show more
William Golding's Teaching Career and World War II Experience
William Golding's job history began with a brief stint in settlement houses and theatre before he decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a teacher. In 1935, he took a position teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury. This experience would prove crucial in shaping his future literary work.
Highlight: Golding's experience teaching unruly young boys would later serve as inspiration for his novel "Lord of the Flies," published in 1954.
The outbreak of World War II in 1939 dramatically altered Golding's career path. In 1940, he temporarily left teaching to join the Royal Navy, where he would spend the next six years.
What did William Golding do in WW2? His wartime experiences were varied and intense:
- He spent most of the war on a boat, except for a seven-month stint in New York.
- Golding fought battleships during the sinking of the Bismarck.
- He fended off submarines and planes.
- As a Lieutenant, he was placed in command of a rocket-launching craft.
Quote: "I began to see what people were capable of doing. Anyone who moved through those years without understanding that man produces evil as a bee produces honey, must have been blind or wrong in the head," Golding said of his World War II experiences.
These experiences had a profound impact on Golding's worldview and would significantly influence his writing. The war exposed him to the darker aspects of human nature, a theme that would become central to "Lord of the Flies" and his other works.
After the war ended in 1945, Golding returned to teaching and writing, now armed with a deeper understanding of human behavior under extreme circumstances. This combination of his teaching experience and wartime observations would prove instrumental in the creation of his most famous novel.
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Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Lord of the Flies and William Golding's Later Career
William Golding's first novel, "Lord of the Flies," was published in 1954 after being rejected by 21 publishers. This breakthrough work was heavily influenced by his experiences as a teacher and his time in World War II.
Highlight: "Lord of the Flies" tells the story of a group of English schoolboys stranded on a deserted island after a plane wreck, exploring the savage and evil side of human nature.
What inspired William Golding to write Lord of the Flies? Several factors contributed:
- His teaching experiences with young boys
- His observations of human behavior during World War II
- The post-war climate in Britain, including food rationing and the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union
- The loss of the British Empire and changing social dynamics
Example: The characters in "Lord of the Flies" reflect the personalities of students Golding encountered as a teacher.
How old was William Golding when he wrote Lord of the Flies? He was approximately 43 years old when the novel was published in 1954.
The novel's success led to several adaptations:
- In 1963, Peter Brook directed a film adaptation of the book.
- In 1990, a new film version was released, introducing the story to a new generation.
Golding's later career was marked by continued success and recognition:
- In 1983, at the age of 73, Golding was awarded the William Golding Nobel Prize for Literature.
- In 1988, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
Interesting facts about William Golding include his lifelong love for sailing, which developed during his time in the Royal Navy, and his initial struggle to gain recognition as a writer.
The novel "Lord of the Flies" continues to be widely read and studied, with numerous resources available for educators, including Lord of the Flies activities PDF, Lord of the Flies unit plan, and Fun activities Lord of the Flies to engage students with the text's themes and characters.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Early Life and Education of William Golding
William Golding's childhood experiences and early life were marked by a unique upbringing and early literary aspirations. Born on September 19, 1911, in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England, Golding grew up in an environment that would later influence his writing. He was raised in a 14th-century house adjacent to a graveyard, an setting that likely contributed to his later exploration of dark themes in his work.
Golding's parents played significant roles in shaping his early years. His mother was an active suffragette, fighting for women's right to vote, while his father worked as a schoolmaster. These William Golding parents instilled in him a sense of social awareness and the importance of education.
Highlight: At the age of 12, Golding made his first attempt at writing a novel, though unsuccessful.
Despite his early interest in writing, Golding's parents encouraged him to pursue natural sciences. This conflict between personal interests and parental expectations would become a recurring theme in his life.
Quote: "I enjoyed hurting people," Golding later said about his childhood self, describing himself as a "brat" who found an outlet in bullying his peers.
William Golding's education took him to Brasenose College at Oxford University, where he initially studied natural sciences to please his father. However, his passion for literature prevailed, and he switched to studying English literature in his second year.
Highlight: In 1934, a year before graduating, Golding published his first work, a book of poetry, which was largely overlooked by critics.
This early period of Golding's life set the stage for his future career as a writer and teacher, providing experiences and insights that would later inform his most famous work, "Lord of the Flies."
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user