Monday, July 22, 2013

How much time has elapsed since the first of the novel?

I assume you're asking how much time elapses from the
beginning of the novel to the end.  If so, you will find no definitive number; however,
by examining certain details, you can make some logical
inferences.


First and most obvious is the boys' clothing. 
When they land on the island, they have pants and shirts, socks and shoes, Piggy has a
windbreaker and the choirboys even have cloaks.  By the end, few of the boys are wearing
much, and the clothing they do have is in tatters.  Ralph is the notable exception, and
he is disgusted at how irritating his clothing feels against his skin.  Sun and salt and
wear are all responsible for the deterioration.


Another
indicator of the passing of time is the boys' appearance.  Hair is longer and skin is
darker for everyone but Piggy.  The boys are dirty in a way that is deeper than a few
days of playing outside in the dirt, and many are tying their hair back as it's gotten
too long.


Also, look at the island itself for time clues. 
For example, the "scar" from their landing has begun to grown over.  The conch
shell, found on their very first morning on the island, has been worn into translucency
by sun, sand, and salt.


Finally, examine the behavior of
these "civilized" schoolboys.  All was not perfect in the beginning, but their dramatic
transformation into hunters and mirderers did not happen in a matter of mere days.  It
was a process which occurred over time--but not much.  Most striking is the perspective
of the rescuers in the last pages of the novel.  We know the boys were young when they
landed, but somehow we forget just how young until we are reminded by the observation of
the naval officer.  He saw "a semi-circle of little boys, their bodies streaked with
colored clay, sharp sticks in their hands, ,,,standing on the beach making no noise at
all."  Obviously, their transformation probably took months, not
years.


It's generally more satisfying to have a definitive
answer to a question like this; however, since Golding doesn't offer a clearcut number,
we can assume a specific number isn't particularly important.  Instead, it is the
progression of time which matters most; by examining the clues, you can follow that
progression throughout the novel.

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