The Spire by William Golding Essay Example for Free

The Spire by William Golding Essay How does Golding use stylistic devices to create tension in this extract? (extract where the ground opens up) The extract begins with an imperative spoken by Roger Mason, Look right at the bottom. Although, as master builder, Roger has a higher status than the rest of the workers, Jocelin considers himself as more important than Roger, so this creates a form of social tension. Later on, Jocelin says What is it? Tell me! It is Jocelins turn to use an imperative. It is now unclear as to who is really dominant in this scene. The extract continues with a list of materials that make up the foundations of the cathedral. It is factual, the kind of list that might come from a scientific report. The continuing list gives a sense of Jocelins gaze taking everything in, and gives a feeling of apprehension, as we wonder what will come next. Golding uses antithesis to give a feeling of tension. Contrasting with the scientific nature of the list, we get a human response from Jocelin there seemed little enough to look at, followed by a pebble dropping. This could represent a penny dropping in Jocelins head, as he realises the inadequacy of the existing foundations. The hair rose on the nape of his neck is a reaction that people have when they are afraid, and the fact that Jocelin is afraid, when he believes absolutely in the spire, creates tension and horror. The statement They were all moving more or less, is quite vague, and is again in contrast to the precise list that we began the extract with. Golding also uses it to develop the narrative, from one pebble dropping before to all the stones moving. The quotation about Roger Mason eyes wide open could be used as a contrasting image to Jocelins blind faith. Also, in this quotation The living, pagan earth is the first explicit reference to paganism in the extract, bringing the conflict between the church and the pagans into the open. Dia Mater is a reference to the Greek moon goddess oak cult, and Goldings mention of her in what sounds like Jocelins thoughts show a blurring of the line between the church and the pagans in his panic. This is in contrast to Jocelins usual denial of any kind of religion other than Christianity. Golding uses personalisation to create tension. He personalises the stones he saw one stir, with a sudden recklessness. This instils human qualities into them, which echoes paganism. Paganism was in conflict with the church, creating religious tension, and the workers brought paganism into the church. Also, the adjective recklessly suggests a disregard for reason and human feelings- much like Jocelins building of the spire. Another instance of personalisation is The earth was moving under the grubs, urging them this way and that gives the ground control over the grubs. This could be a metaphor for the way in which what lies beneath the ground the church stands on has begun to govern the church peoples (the grubs) lives. This creates tension because it means that humans are now not fully in control, the natural forces at work are, which again references paganism, setting the workers against the church. Golding uses the characters bodies to reflect their feelings of panic and tension. Jocelin is racked with spasms. This is effective as it shows the practical, physical manifestations of the tense atmosphere. Lips tight round his teeth shows Rogers fear, creating tension as he is the expert, and knows what is happening, and he is very worried. A yellow pallor shining through his skin shows Rogers physical horror and nausea at the sight before him. Imagery is also used to show tension. Like porridge in a pot is a pleasant, domesticated image, which contrasts with the images they are seeing in the pit, helping to emphasise the horrors before them. It could also be that Jocelin is horrified, and is seeking comfort in the thoughts of comfortable, everyday things. The use of grubs as a simile is faintly repellent and gives a feeling of trepidation and suspense, partly due to the fact that grubs do not stay grubs for long, but develop into something else. Roger Mason was staring at the grubs. The use of the word grubs has changed from a simile to a metaphor. This is confusing at first, as it is used in a very literal sense. I think that it shows Jocelins gradual loss of rational thought as he becomes ever more desperate to build the spire. The noseless men meaning the skeletons buried in the church graveyard, turning over and thrusting up. This is quite aggressive imagery, and it creates tension between the living and the dead, as the workmen invade the graveyard. Some form of life is a vague and threatening image, reflecting the uncertainty everyone but Jocelin has about the spire. Repetition is always used quite a lot in this extract. What is it Roger? What is it? Here repetition is used to heighten the tension and suspense, and also show how Jocelin needs reassurance from Roger. It also uses hypophora to attract our attention. He glanced at Roger Mason, does the same thing, and shows that he acknowledges Rogers superior knowledge in this area. With a slow stirring, like the stirring of grubs More repetition exists within this sentence which helps to create tension and suspense. Perhaps the damned stirring uses repetition again, repeating the feelings of tension that were present earlier. Both sound and silence are used to create suspense and tension. No-one made any noise. This could signify that everybody apart from Jocelin knows what is wrong. There came a sharp scream breaks the silence since Jocelins questions, and before that, the sound of the pebble falling. This cuts through the tension created by the extended period of silence, but due to the sentence structure we must wait to see who screamed, creating suspense. The fact that it was Goody Pangall that screamed is surprising, and at odds with what we know of her character so far. This too is unsettling, and gives a sense of confusion and disorder. Goldings diction also creates tension. Jocelin jerked out his hand. Here the use of the word jerked, an abrupt action, shows Jocelins physical fear. The fact that he made a defensive sign at the pit, shows his frustration. Coming to the boil implies that soon everything will reach a climax. But the master builder still strained down, eyes wide open. Goldings use of the word strained shows the tension Roger feels in his whole body. Flicking or flinching are quick movements, at odds with the slow contemplation of the earth we have had up to this point. This gives us the feeling that something is happening. Jocelins gradual realisation that there are no foundations is hinted at throughout the extract. This can create tension due to the uncertainty as to whether he will continue to insist that the spire be built or not, as it has not categorically been said. The earth was moving, we use the phrase the earth moved when something new and groundbreaking had been discovered, again, Jocelin is beginning to realise that Roger was right about the spire. Or the roof of hell down there shows that everything Jocelin fears comes from underground, including the lack of foundations. That which ought not to be seen or touched could be implying that the pit should never have been dug, and the spire should never be built. Turning, seething, coming to the boil gives a repressed, rebellious feeling to the darkness under the earth. The quotation doomsday coming up refers to the end of the world, and the destiny of humanity, which seems apt, considering the uncertain future of the spire. In conclusion, Golding uses many stylistic devices to create tension in this extract. These include repetition, personalisation, imagery, antithesis and metaphor. These combine to create tension in a variety of ways. I think that the most effective is the personalisation of the earth, and the repetition.