The Spire

by
William Golding
How to read this text
As readers, inevitably, we search for meaning in a text and your introduction
to this novel will present you with difficulties in this process. However, you
must not be discouraged; reading this text is a challenge and that is part of its
pleasure.
We need to read it open-mindedly and confidently. You will not have the security of
assured meaning on which to rely as you read. Uncertainty is the feeling that will
predominate and that is how it should be. Golding is writing about a world that is
constantly shifting and changing. Nothing stays the same; nothing is certain. The
cathedral is being partially destroyed in order for it to be re-built; Jocelins moods
swing from one extreme to the other in seconds. All is noisy confusion and chaos.
The lack of clarity in The Spire is a fine example of style mirroring content. Do not
wait to feel safe with this text. The sense will come from the chaos; indeed, the
chaos is part of the sense.

It is absolutely essential to read the novel at least twice before considering

anyones analysis of it.

Brief summary of the plot

Set in the13th/14th century, in the cathedral town of Salisbury, the novels central
action concerns the adding of a spire to the cathedral by the Dean, Jocelin, in spite of
opposition from other monks, the verger, Pangall and the builder, Roger Mason. The
novel deals with the consequences and implications of Jocelins having his own way
and the focus is Jocelins consciousness the world as he experiences it.

Chapter one
Summary
Chapter one provides us with an introduction to all the key elements in the novel:
Jocelin and the early work on the spire as well as the effect this has on the
environment and the other characters: Pangall (the verger), Goody (his wife), Fathers
Anselm and Adam (monks at the cathedral), the dumb sculptor, Jocelins aunt and his
angel.
This chapter is important because it teaches us how to read The Spire. It contains all
the main themes and motifs. It also demonstrates that there is no clear view of
anything. The first paragraph prepares us for the complexity of style.
Setting and atmosphere: Light, the glory of God, ecstasy, harmony.

Themes
Vision
The first paragraph reveals the idea of perception and its distortion. We see
through Jocelins eyes. It is a view intensified by additional spokes and wheels
and rainbows formed by his tears of joy. He sees minute details of the physical
world but cannot see the pain of those around him. Pangall has to take him to see
his home in chaos before Jocelin sees the truth. He cannot see that the deacons
are talking about him.
God/faith/sacrifice
As God in the stained glass window, the book bursts upon the reader in the first
sentence, mid-action. Abraham and Isaac are introduced (the first of many
biblical references) and therefore the theme of sacrifice/obedience.
Love/lust
Jocelins love for his fellow churchmen is mentioned; he shot an arrow of love
after the Chancellor. He watched [Goody Pangall] with love (although this is
erotic love, evident in She is entirely woman, he thought). He looked down at
the two deacons who are talking about him, loving them in his joy and then
seized two handfuls of curls and tugged them. We cannot help but wonder at the
nature of Jocelins love.
Conflict/power
There is conflict between Jocelin and the Chancellor over the advisability of
building the spire, between Jocelin and Pangall over the behaviour of the builders
and Jocelins lack of interest in Pangalls situation, between Jocelin and his aunt
from whom he receives a letter. The aunt expresses her dissatisfaction at her
treatment by Jocelin.
Jocelin is a big man whose shadow fell on the Dumb Man. He towers over most
people and his role as Dean puts him in a position of power in the church. Pangall
is described as looking up at him and he is impotent against the ridicule of the
workmen. Notice how Jocelin deals with Pangall, the Dumb Man, Father Adam
(Anonymous) and his aunt. Note how he sees himself as a surgeon with a knife,
while the church is a drugged body awaiting his healing powers.
Communication
God communicates with Jocelin via the light in the stained glass window. Jocelin
has ignored letters from his aunt for three years and does not intend to answer the
one he gets in chapter one; he declares, We shall make no answer. Pangall finds
it difficult to communicate with Jocelin, who dismisses his pleadings. The person
with whom Jocelin communicates most freely and happily is The Dumb Man
the one who cannot answer back.

 Pride
Consider Jocelins perception of himself. Lift up your heads, O ye Gates, he
says as he enters the West End of the cathedral (and the Bible continues, and the
King of Glory shall enter in)! Jocelin talks of my church and shows his
appreciation to God: Lord; I thank Thee that Thou hast kept me humble! He
does not consider for a moment that the two deacons who discuss his pride,
ignorance and arrogance could be referring to him. Who is this poor fellow? he
asks, ironically.
Characters:
Jocelin
What do you learn about him? Find a quotation for each point you make.

The Dumb Man

What do you learn about him? Find a quotation for each point you make.

Chapter two
Summary
The conflict regarding the building of the spire is encapsulated in the argument
between Jocelin and Anselm, which causes Jocelin to consider the human cost of his
grand design, yet still he thinks, Cost what you like (p35). The pit is Roger Masons
proof of the cathedrals lack of foundations but Jocelin insists that they dare to build
the 400-foot addition. His vision seems to be confirmed by the forthcoming arrival of
the Holy Nail.
Setting and atmosphere: Dust and stink (p33). Tension/conflict.

Check the themes below from chapter one to see which are repeated in chapter two
and put references next to each:

Vision

God/faith/sacrifice

Love/lust

Conflict/power

Communication

Pride

Cost
A significant theme to add to this list now is that of cost. If chapter one can be said to
feature light, then chapter two is about dust. Dust gets everywhere and Golding
continues to appeal to our senses as he creates an atmosphere in which he cough[s]
and his eyes [run]. It is the same dust that causes old Father Anselm to say, You
know how it is with this poor chest of mine.
Jocelin admits that he didnt know how much you would cost up there, the four
hundred feet of you. I thought you would cost no more than money. But still, cost
what you like. (p35) This shows a willingness to accept what he is sacrificing (and
others too) for the spire, for example his friendship with Father Anselm, and to carry
on, regardless.
The theme of cost appears again when Jocelins thoughts prompt him to exclaim,
Lord, what instruments we have to use! (p46); people are expendable instruments
to be used for a purpose.
Appearance versus reality
Another theme that emerges clearly here is that of appearance versus reality. Look
at p 37 on which the narrative reads, Jocelin felt a sudden return of pain that the man
should look like one thing and behave like another. Consider this in the light of what
you know about Jocelins own appearance and the reality of his nature.
Friendship
Jocelins friendship with Father Anselm is part of the price that is paid for the spire.
Anselm disagrees with Jocelin and he forbids Anselm to be overseer, nor organise the
4

overseers (p48). His former friend is now seen as a force that drags him down and he
dismisses him easily (p49 end).
Characters
Pangall
There is discussion between Roger Mason and Jocelin about the lack of foundations
and the issue of Pangalls treatment by Masons workmen also arises. Despite
Jocelins pleas to Mason for his men to leave Pangall alone, Mason shrugs off the
request and claims, Its our way of keeping off bad luck (p42). Pangall fulfils a
function but has no claim to humane treatment, it would seem.
Rachel Mason
Rachel Mason appears as does Jocelins obvious disgust for her. She is extrovert and
garrulous not Jocelins idea of the ideal woman. Jocelin thinks she is foolish and
her husband calls her stupid (p45).
Jocelin
What do we make of him now? Note his violent reactions to everything: the
hodmans song, Rachels endless chatter, Anselms sulk, the Holy Nail, Rogers
doubts. Are these the signs of an unstable personality? Is he not in touch with
reality? BUT this refusal to be limited by a conventional view of reality can lead to a
broadening of horizons and the consideration of the possibility of great things. Who
dares, wins. Is he madman, visionary, or both?
The dialogue in this chapter helps us to see these other people for ourselves (because
dialogue brings reality) and not through Jocelins eyes as in the narrative.
The chapter ends with Jocelins angel returning and [standing] at his back in a cloud
of warmth, to comfort him a little. He needs it.

Chapter three
Summary
Time span of this chapter is from autumn to March. Incessant rain floods the vaults
and raises the stench of the dead buried there into the cathedral. Jocelin learns why
Rachel has no children and sees that a relationship between Roger Mason and Goody
Pangall has developed. He is disgusted by the pair but also thinks that she will keep
him here. Hardly any dialogue in this chapter (unlike chapter 2).
Setting and atmosphere: Autumn to March. Wet, windy weather. The smell of
death from the pit. A rising tide of muck (p58).
Check the themes below from previous chapters to see which are repeated in chapter
three:

Vision

God/faith/sacrifice

Love/lust

Communication

Pride

Cost

Appearance versus reality

Friendship

Human sexuality/mans desires/id

The pit and its foul smelling oozings can be seen as representing the deepest desires
of man that escape the control of the conscious mind and make themselves known to
the owner, if not to others the id. It is low, dark and stinks a contrast to the tower
which is high, light and near to God. The stench disturbs the daily life of the
cathedral, as Jocelins own sexuality disturbs him. In both cases it is as if the genie is
out of the bottle and there is no putting it back although Jocelin tries to. On page 60
he cries out, Filth! Filth! at the thought of Roger and Goody together and quickly
tries to cover up his response by turning it into an observation about the (physical)
state of the cathedral. Note the language in this chapter: filthy dirty (page 60), a
rising tide of muck (page 58), a bull or a stallion (page 58) and some pit inside
Jocelin (page 58) only some of numerous sexual references.
Guilt
Jocelin finds it hard to accept his own sexuality and by the end of chapter 3 he is
described as being full of loathing (page 65). He lashed himself hard,
denoting self-punishment and perhaps a sense of masochistic sexual pleasure.
Jocelins battle between the forces of good and evil is evident in Goldings use of the
words angel and devil so near each other (page 65) He smelt the pit and recoiled
from it (page 52).
Metaphor/symbolism/imagery
The spire can be seen as a phallic symbol as well as Jocelins desire to do something
for God. We remember that he tells us, Here, where the pit stinks. I received what I
received, all those years ago, and I fell on my face We are invited to consider our
deepest instincts and our highest motivations and the connections that there may be
between them. Christians believe that mans weaknesses are used by God for positive
outcomes. We must also consider the heights and depths to which human beings can
aspire - or sink.
Jocelin has been thinking of Goody Pangall and her relationship with Roger Mason
and we read that he jammed the spire into the square hole. This is an interesting
blend of sexual symbolism and the representation of Jocelins God-given purpose (the
spire).

Chapter Four
Summary
Spring is coming and work continues. Wood comes from Ivos fathers land and near
illiterate Ivo takes time off from hunting to be made a canon. The workmen become
restless and demand danger money. The earth moves in the pit, showing how great
the danger is. Roger asks Jocelin to be released from the contract but it is
disregarded. In the midst of chaos and violence, the pit is filled in and Pangall
disappears. The Dumb Man saves Jocelin from being trampled to death.
Setting and atmosphere: Spring, Lent, Easter then June, the stench from the pit,
moving foundations of the church.
Check the re-appearance of the themes below:

Vision

God/faith/sacrifice

Love/lust

Conflict/power

Communication

Pride

Cost

Appearance versus reality

Friendship

Human sexuality/mans desires/id

Guilt

Sickness/impurity
Page 67 contains numerous references to these in words such as purged,
sickness and purity. Examine the last paragraph for more examples.
Remember that Jocelin saw the cathedral as a body upon which he was to operate
(page 13). These references also remind us of the theme of good/evil
Good/evil
The references to sickness/impurity also remind us of the theme of good/evil,
exemplified by the angel and then the devil that Jocelin feels at his back.
Symbolism
Tent
The tent is prominent here page 86 and 90, representing the way in which the
relationship between Goody Pangall and Roger Mason separates them from the
rest of the world and binds them together. It is an enclosed space that prevents
others from getting too near them and yet canvas is thin and lacks permanence.
Imagery: sexual/Goody Pangall
Chapter four ends with strong sexual imagery attached to Goody Pangall. There
are the inevitable references to her red hair, here splayed over her breast and
half-undone, her belly shone and handtorn gap in her dress all enhance the
sexual picture Golding paints of her here.

Chapter Five
Summary
After the moving pit and the singing pillars, Jocelin shows signs of madness. He
detaches himself from people, from his concerns about Pangall and Goody and from
the horror connected with the mistletoe by climbing up the tower. From the top we
can see how the building dominates and changes the landscape. On his way down,
Jocelin responds to the news of Goodys pregnancy with a violent outburst of fury and
tears.
Chapters 4 and 5 form a pair. Chapter 4 is about the depths of the pit; chapter 5 is
about the top of the tower. This chapter marks the beginning of Jocelins journey
towards self-discovery.
Setting and atmosphere: Tower, height, long, hot, dry summer then Autumn fog.
The pair to chapter 4.
Track the themes below:
Vision

God/faith/sacrifice

Love/lust

Conflict/power

Communication

Pride

Cost

Appearance versus reality

Friendship

Human sexuality/mans desires/id

Guilt

Sickness/impurity

Good/evil

Check the symbolism/imagery below from chapter four to see which are repeated in
chapter five:
tent
sexual imagery/Goody Pangall
Chapter five signals a watershed (page 91) for Jocelin and there are signs of his
personality disintegrating. On page 92 Jocelins head preached Father Anonymous a
sermon and this same head seems to take on a life of its own; when it woke up it
knew where it was. We hear of his high laugh (a mad cackle) and we learn of his
beginning to be objective about himself; he has a little awareness of himself as
human, more or less.

On page 95 he shows signs of humility by admitting that he must learn about wood
and self-knowledge when he admits that he has so much will, it puts all other
business by (page 97). He recognises that he offered [him]self; and [he is] learning
(page 97). He offered himself to the service of God and self-knowledge is both the
price he has to pay and the gift he receives.
His madness is developed by Golding in Jocelins high fretful laugh (page 100) and
his knuckl[ing] his forehead (page 101). Others looked at him curiously (page
101). On page 106 Jocelin admits that he brings his essential wickedness even here
into thy air (up in the tower) and can see at last the suffering of those trapped in real
life situations below: there are gallows everywhere, the blood of childbirth never
ceases to flow. He is getting in touch with others pain and says, Forgive me (page
107). At the end of page 107/top of 108 he sees the way in which the tower is
dominating and changing the environment and from his high place (on page 109) he
seems to see humanity clearly for the first time.
The top of page 110 sees the Dean acknowledging something vital. Eager to escape
the stench of the pit and his own desires (chapter 4) he fleas up the tower (chapter 5)
only to discover that he cannot forever live in the heights, however appealing he finds
it. No man can live his life with eagles and he must force himself down again to join
humanity in all its frailty and, indeed, acknowledge his own. If the pit represents the
deepest desires of man, the tower must stand for mans higher aspirations and, in
Jocelins case, inspiration from God. Just as both aspects of the human psyche are
linked by the fact that the Dean received his vision when he was in the pit, chapters 4
and 5 link the two extremes and we see Jocelin moving between them and reaching
some acceptance of eachs existence in the real world and in him.
Chapter Six
Summary
As the tower reaches its full height, the singing of the pillars increases and Roger
Mason describes in detail how it will split open if a spire is added. Jocelin forces
Mason to come up with an idea for preventing this. The Dean overhears Roger and
Goody having sex in the swallows nest. The chapter is full of architectural detail and
the focus is on the external, physical world: the building process and the affair
between Goody and Roger.
Setting and atmosphere: December and fog.
Check the appearance of the following themes in chapter 6:

Sight/vision

God/faith/sacrifice

Love/lust

Conflict/power

Communication

Pride

Cost

Appearance versus reality

Friendship

Human sexuality/mans desires/id

Guilt

Sickness/impurity

Good/evil

Find quotations to support each of these:

Dark/sun

Sight/vision

Cost

Conflict

Reality/truth/subjectivity/objectivity

Gods will

Insanity

Where is the theme of insanity foreshadowed? Start with chapter one.

Characters:
What developments are there in the following characters in this chapter?

Jocelin

Roger Mason

Rachel

Jocelins Angel

How have the various relationships in the novel changed/developed in chapter 6?

Jocelin/Roger

Roger/Goody

Jocelin/Goody

Jocelin/Rachel

Chapter Seven
Summary
Jocelin feels linked to Goody Pangall, Roger Mason and Rachel in some unholy
marriage. Roger achieves his plan of building the top of the tower with a steel band.
Jocelin finds that the tower is swaying and this is the cause of the pillars singing. He
arranges for Goody Pangall to go to a nunnery as a fallen woman. As he takes her the
money for this he finds Rachel driving her husband from the cottage. Goody
miscarries and dies. This chapter explores Jocelins mental and emotional state as
Golding tracks the progress of his self-discovery.
Setting and atmosphere: blood, water, oil, the Host, pain, death, chaos.
Check the themes below from previous chapters to see which are repeated here:
Vision

God/faith/sacrifice

Love/lust

Conflict/power

Communication
1

Pride

Cost

Appearance versus reality

Friendship

Human sexuality/mans desires/id

Guilt

Sickness/impurity

Good/evil

Insanity

On page 127 Jocelin, in narration, speaks of his private storm and chaos and on
page 137 the word tumult occurs. What do you make of this turmoil?
Write your ideas and quotations here:

Chapter 7 is important in Jocelins learning. Look at the following pages and make
notes (and quotes) on the theme:

p127

p128

p134

p136

p137

The motif of money appears again in this chapter. Can you spot any
allusions in Goldings use of it here?

What is the state of Jocelins angel now? Look at p129 and p132.

Goody Pangall dies and this is, arguably, the climax of the novel. Which other points
could signify a climax in your opinion? List them here, with page numbers:

Chapter Eight
Summary
Jocelins physical and mental condition deteriorates. His back is more bent and his
behaviour more bizarre. Roger is now dominated by Rachel and is drinking heavily.
The pillars start to bend and he retreats in terror. Work goes on and Jocelin is treated
as a lucky mascot by the men who go to Stonehenge to celebrate Midsummer with
pagan rites.
Setting and atmosphere: tension, conflict between good and evil.
Style
Note that the narrative is now clearly in the third person, which distances us from
Jocelin and enables us to witness objectively a personality in the process of breaking
down. Jocelins thoughts are in the first person, speech marks or brackets. On page
155 the narrative changes to the first person plural. Why do you think this is?
Check the themes below from previous chapters:

Sight/vision
1

God/faith/sacrifice

Love/lust

Conflict/power

Communication

Pride/humility

Cost

Appearance versus reality

Friendship

Human sexuality/mans desires/id

Guilt

Sickness/impurity

Good/evil

Insanity

Jocelin and Roger

Jocelin is subject to attack by Satan. On page 138 Golding tells of the Deans
vulnerability as his sexuality is targeted and it becomes indeed an unruly member
(p138). This is a part of the tension and conflict that is present in this chapter.
Another aspect of it is Rogers subduing by Rachel who has tied a metaphorical lead
around his neck and has the end of it firmly in her hand (p139). Roger is now
drinking heavily a broken man with dull eyes (p141).

Jocelin will not lie down entirely, however and he rejoices in Rogers obedience to his
wishes. Now, if I told him to build a thousand feet high, he would do it. Ive got
what I wanted (p139). Has he really won, though? Three lines later we read that his
feet took him without his volition into Pangalls kingdom (p139), which he found
painful and quickly hurried his feet back into the church (p140).
Jocelin is disturbed, preoccupied with three issues:
1. the dead woman (p141)
2. the present impossibility of prayer (p141)
3. the defection of a workman (p141)
and he could only put his hands to his ears and rock himself- powerless and
distressed.
Rachel
Rachel, on the other hand, is enjoying her position of power and we are reminded
of the saying hell hath no fury like the wrath of a woman scorned. Rachel has
tamed the beast. Remember the terms of animal sexuality in which Roger was
referred to in Goldings description of the affair between Mason and Goody.
Mans deep desires are the Id, also seen as a beast.
Rachel has secured a leash around Rogers neck and she holds the end of it. She
is now his control, his superego. His eyes are now dull and Jocelin hears her
shouting instructions from her maximum height (p142). Height = power;
remember Jocelins stature. Jocelin fears that one day shell go with [Roger]
even into the privy (p142) to control his basest (animal) activities?
Ranulf
Ranulfs role is an interesting one. He is another silent character, who appears only
briefly and serves to enhance the tension that is so noticeable in this chapter. He
witnesses the spire moving and quietly packs up his tools and leaves.

Chapter Nine
Summary
Jehan has to organise the final dropping into place of the wooden framework without
Roger as he has disappeared. The Visitor arrives and questions Jocelin about his
vision and his behaviour. During a violent storm, Jocelin struggles up the spire and
hammers in the Holy Nail.
Track the themes below:

Sight/vision

God/faith/sacrifice

Love/lust

Conflict/power

Communication

Pride/humility

Cost

Appearance versus reality

Friendship

Human sexuality/mans desires/id

Guilt

Sickness/impurity

Good/evil

Insanity