Rites of Passage Sea Trilogy Summary
William Golding

Rites of Passage Sea Trilogy Summary

The Rites of Passage sea trilogy comprises the novels Rites of Passage, Close Quarters, and Fire Down Below.

One reviewer concluded that the binding theme of the three novels is the "making of Talbot's soul." In the first, he is shaken out of his comfortable self-satisfaction by Colley's death. In the second, he faces grave danger, admitting fear but not succumbing to the despair of Wheeler, who commits suicide, or the blubbering drunkenness of Pike. He slowly becomes an admirable character, establishing himself in the third novel as a good friend, a young man willing to learn, and a person grateful for good fortune and graceful in misfortune.

The setting for Rites of Passage is a ship on its way from England to Australia. The passengers and crew of this ship form a microcosm of English society and offer Golding the opportunity for satire...

(read more from the Short Guide)