The Spire (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: William Golding
- First Published: 1964
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Symbolism
- Time of Work: The fourteenth century
- Setting: An English city resembling Salisbury
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction
- Subjects: Social issues, Religion, England or English people, Faith, Architecture or architects, Cathedrals, Fourteenth century
- Locales: England, Salisbury, England
Characters Discussed
Jocelin, the dean of the Cathedral Church of Our Lady, somewhere in England. He obtained the position through the influence of his aunt, who was mistress to a previous king. Despite this connection, Jocelin appears a spiritual man, full of visionary faith, feeling called by God to construct a tower and spire for the cathedral. At first, the vision is seen by Jocelin as an act of faith over material impossibilities, such as inadequate foundations. He feels tremendous joy and love as this act of faith begins to take shape. He sees his vision as providing the...
[The entire page is 718 words long]
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