‘Golding is consistently fascinated by goodness,
sanctity and mysticism …’

A Reflective Study Day led by Professor Tim Kendall, Exeter University

Tim Kendall writes:
William Golding is renowned as a novelist who explores man’s inhumanity to man, but that’s only half the story. Golding is consistently fascinated by goodness, sanctity and mysticism, and by what these gifts might reveal about human nature and the existence and benevolence of God. Paying particular attention to the most obviously theological of Golding’s novels –
Lord of the Flies; 
Pincher Martin; 
The Spire;
Darkness Visible
– we will consider the problem of goodness in Golding’s work. ‘The most interesting thing in the world is saints’, Golding once claimed, and he elaborated that he meant ‘people around whom miracles happen’. But are they credible, are they appealing, and how should their example affect our own behaviours?

Tim Kendall completed his BA at Oxford (1991) and D.Phil (1994). He spent a year there as lecturer before taking up a research post in Newcastle. Two years after that, he accepted his first permanent position at Bristol. He returned to Devon as Professor of English Literature at the University of Exeter in 2006, and served as Head of Department from 2007 to 2013.

Watch the 1959 interview with William Golding, on ‘how he writes a novel‘

There will be three talks, with a lunch break after the second.

Those attending in person are invited to bring a packed lunch or to use local retail outlets during the lunch break.

For those unable to attend who wish to watch online or recordings later, links will be sent to ‘online’ ticket holders.

We only record the talks themselves, and not associated Q&As, discussions, or images of the live audience.

The event will be held at the Church of St Michael at the North Gate, Oxford.

Tickets are available here for Attendance in person and Online/recording access.

Please select the type of ticket you require and the number by using the + and – buttons below