The Spire William Golding: How Does Golding Introduce the Character of Jocelin in Chapter 1?

William Golding uses the character of Jocelin as the driving force behind the development of plot and eventual tragedy which unfolds in “The Spire”. Jocelin is portrayed as an enigma by Golding, a driven man, consumed by faith and on the verge of madness. From the opening paragraph we gain an impression of the stresses and urges under which Jocelin operates and the depths of faith which drives him. The vivid description of the light shining on his features “with god the father exploding in his face” suggest the awesome and uncontrollable power this “god” figure has upon his life, along with other biblical references “exalt Isaac and Abraham and god again”.

However these images are interposed on the image of his almost hysterical laughing “tears of laughter in his eyes made additional spokes and wheels and rainbows”. This imparts the reader with a feeling of vague unease, as if such an action is out of place and inappropriate in the context. This is representative of his relationship with god, close and ecstatic, bordering on manic.

Golding imparts the reader with numerous hints and premonitions concerning Jocelin as from the start he is described as having “eyes half closed, joy”. This is fitting as it represents Jocelin’s short-sightedness to the effect the construction of the spire is having on the people around him. His is made blind by the “joy” of his dream/passion and becomes almost oblivious to harm he causes until it’s too late to rectify, demonstrated by his completely oblivious disciplining of the two younger deacons “Who is this poor fellow? You should pray for him rather” when it is plain to the reader the “Proud” and “Ignorant” person is actually Jocelin himself. Golding also presents the arrogant, almost patronising side of his nature with his method of allowing the reader to enter Jocelin’s mind and gaining what is almost a commentary of events from his point of view. His thoughts regarding the chancellor, who is not overly suited with the disruption caused by the construction, are nothing less than possessive and egotistical. His “Love” is actually more insulting than comforting and how he perceives the cathedral and its inhabitants as “My place, my people, my house” emphasises this.