Rites Of Passage

RITES OF PASSAGE

by William Golding

 

Awards: Booker Winner 1980, Nobel Winner 1980

 

Date Read: April 2, 2022

 

Imagine being trapped in a floating cesspool for months with nothing to occupy your time but a handful of the same books and the other passengers. In Rites Of Passage, you don’t have to imagine. Golding has painted that all too vivid picture for us. Through Edmund Talbot, an up-and-comer whose godfather has bestowed a position of privilege on, we can see the operation of a very old ship and the drama of his fellow passengers, one of whom comes to a tragic end, partially at his own hand.

 

Reverend Colley is also aboard and from the instant, everyone sees a single-minded, gullible man. This weakness is exploited for the pure amusement of the other passengers and crew and results in his tragic death. The reader becomes privy to the inner-workings of Colley that reveal a gentle and earnest soul that is continually striving to do the Lord’s work. Yet, the only concern Captain Anderson has at his passing is how this death will reflect on himself.

 

We are able to see, however, Talbot realizing his indirect role in Reverend Colley’s death and a modicum of growth, although I believe upon his arrival in Australia, he will be able to put these newfound realizations behind him and move on to become the fully selfish ass he is destined to become.

 

Another cynical view of humankind from Golding. But of course a golden gem of a cynical view.

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