A Sea Trilogy by William Golding
"A Sea Trilogy" by William Golding comprises three interconnected novels: "Rites of Passage," "Close Quarters," and "Fire Down Below." The trilogy chronicles the maturation of Edmund Talbot, depicted through his sea journals, which convey both his physical and psychological journeys during an 18th-century maritime voyage. Initially, Talbot presents himself as a self-assured, somewhat snobbish young man, showcasing his wit and intellect while documenting his experiences aboard a ship filled with a diverse cast of characters, including passengers and crew members. Significant events, such as the tragic death of Reverend Colley, prompt Talbot to reflect on his own behavior and the inherent complexities of human nature.
As the trilogy progresses, Talbot evolves, gaining deeper insights into relationships, courage, and accountability. In "Close Quarters," he begins to introspect more seriously and develops a romantic connection, while also experiencing personal and moral challenges. By the final novel, "Fire Down Below," Talbot demonstrates a more profound understanding of others’ strengths and weaknesses, particularly in relation to the ship’s crew and his evolving friendships. The conclusion sees Talbot, now an older man, reassessing his life choices and recognizing both the joys and regrets of his journey, ultimately achieving a sense of contentment that contrasts sharply with his earlier self-satisfaction. The trilogy serves as a rich exploration of personal growth against the backdrop of maritime adventure.
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A Sea Trilogy by William Golding
Excerpted from an article in Magill’s Survey of World Literature, Revised Edition
First published:Rites of Passage, 1980; Close Quarters, 1987; Fire Down Below, 1989
Type of work: Novels
The Work
Rites of Passage, Close Quarters, and Fire Down Below constitute Golding’s A Sea Trilogy. The focus of the trilogy, taken as a whole, is Edmund Talbot’s maturation. Showing Talbot from his departure as a young upstart, sure of preferment and success, to his reflections as an old man, the novels allow Talbot to demonstrate his growth as a human being. Using the literary genre of the sea journal, Golding allows Talbot to speak for himself. Talbot’s eighteenth century prose and his insistence on learning sailors’ jargon lend authenticity to his record of the physical journey, while the content and tone of his journals reveal the results of his psychological journey and growth. In particular, his maturity is revealed in his record of his relationships with the other passengers and the crew and in his comments about himself.
In Rites of Passage, Talbot is a snob, easily impressed by titles, fine clothing, or fancy manners. He holds himself aloof and seems quite self-satisfied, certain of his intellect, his talents, and his future success. Any insecurity is revealed in the obsequious tone he sometimes adopts in his journal, which is written for his benefactor and godfather in England. He is very much concerned with being witty and painting a favorable picture of himself on the voyage.
As part of his commentary, Talbot introduces the other people on board. The passengers include Zenobia Brocklebank, an older woman attempting to seem younger and more socially prominent than her condition warrants; her father, who resorts to drink; Mr. Prettiman, a rationalist; Miss Granham, a spinster dismissed by Talbot as cold and unattractive; and the Reverend Colley, an earnest but overzealous clergyman. The crew includes Captain Anderson, the chief officer, who is strongly anticlergy; Billy Rogers, a handsome sailor who becomes Colley’s shame; Mr. Summers, a lowborn officer with highborn qualities; and Wheeler, servant to Talbot.
The central event of this first novel is the death of Colley. Talbot finds Colley a ridiculous figure for much of the novel, and it is clear why Colley becomes the butt of jokes. A practical joke played by the sailors as part of the rites of crossing the equator is carried too far, however, and Colley simply wills himself to die of shame. After reading the letter that Colley left behind, Talbot must take a second look at the man. In addition, Talbot examines his own role in Colley’s death, sensing that blaming the sailors is too easy. In this way, Talbot takes the first major step toward maturity. Examination of cruelty and blame—and the evil in human nature that prompts such tormenting—also allies Rites of Passage with earlier Golding novels.
With Close Quarters, Talbot begins a new journal. This one is to be written for himself rather than his patron, so he is freed from the necessity of banter and afforded the opportunity for introspection. In this novel, Talbot is less snobbish and displays an improved sense of humor. Still bristly when teased by being called “Lord Talbot,” he can sometimes laugh at himself. Primarily, though, he matures in his relationships and has his courage tested. With one exception, his focus shifts somewhat from the passengers to the crew as the decrepit condition of the ship becomes significant.
When the ship is becalmed beside the Alcyone, Talbot finds new interests. In particular he falls in love with Marion Chumley, the ward of the captain of the Alcyone. His infatuation at first seems ridiculous, but his intentions are honorable and he remains true through their subsequent separation. In addition, he has a new officer to observe. Lieutenant Benet is sent to Talbot’s ship in order to end an affair on board the Alcyone.
A risk taker, Benet is soon in conflict with Mr. Summers, who conservatively calculates the odds before acting. Their disagreements with each other and with Captain Anderson about how to handle the ship’s broken mast afford Talbot an opportunity to admire the discipline of the ship’s social order, particularly the way Summers yields to it despite his frustration at having to carry out orders with which he disagrees. As Talbot becomes better acquainted with Summers, his admiration and their friendship develop. It is a mark of Talbot’s maturity that their friendship can survive a falling out.
Once the mast breaks, all aboard are in grave danger, and Talbot records their ways of facing impending death. One drinks, another prefers a quick, self-inflicted gunshot to longer suffering, and some retain their dignity. Talbot is among the latter despite his very real fear. In Close Quarters, Talbot is tested in love, friendship, and courage and is not found wanting.
Fire Down Below further demonstrates Talbot’s maturation as he continues to learn to look beneath surface appearances in order to find true worth. The novel also returns to the theme of accountability, touched on in Rites of Passage. As Talbot’s friendship with Summers is renewed and grows, Talbot sees clearly the qualities that make Summers superior to an officer who trades solely on his good family ties. Talbot appreciates Summers’s kindness and concern, even for little things like helping to relieve the itch of being salty all the time. He recognizes Summers’s sensitivity, his allowing Talbot to stand the night watch to avoid being in the cabin where Wheeler, Talbot’s servant, committed suicide. Talbot also reforms his opinion of Miss Granham, now Mrs. Prettiman, appreciating her strength and intelligence. Talbot is more willing to learn from others about the practicalities of what to wear to be comfortable for months at sea or about social philosophy, which he discusses with the Prettimans.
If Talbot’s character is in better shape in Fire Down Below, the ship is in worse shape. It survives a terrible storm and an encounter with an iceberg, but the foremast is shifting, slowing the ship’s progress. Benet proposes running a hot metal bolt through the foremast, and Anderson agrees. The ship moves faster, but Summers alone acknowledges the danger that the mast will be smoldering on the inside. The ship safely reaches port, and Summers’s loyalty seems to be rewarded when he is given command of the ship. In fact, Anderson and Benet have simply walked away from the responsibility for what they have done. When the ship catches fire and sinks, it is Summers who dies on board.
Events move swiftly once the ship reaches Sydney. Talbot’s fortunes are reversed and then reversed again. When his patron dies, he must adjust to being penniless. However, he later learns that he has been left a seat in Parliament, enabling him to marry Marion and return to England. It is to Talbot’s credit that he can accept his misfortune and rejoice in his good fortune. He has developed an equanimity he lacked when he first set out.
At the end of Fire Down Below Talbot speaks not to himself in his journal but, as an old man, to an audience of “dear readers.” Looking back over his life, Talbot has some regrets that he turned down the adventure of setting off with the Prettimans to build a new world in Australia and instead chose the safer path of life as a member of Parliament. His final assessment, however, is that while his life has not been without disappointment or sorrow, it has been a good one. The self-satisfied narrator of Rites of Passage has become, by the end of the trilogy, simply satisfied.
Bibliography
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