The Island Becomes a Reality

One of the few books that really stands out in my mind from elementary school is Lord of the Flies by William Golding. You're probably wondering why I remember the book so clearly. Could it have been how I imagined "the Beast" that the boys on the island were after? Or maybe it was due in part to picking apart every little detail about the book in class?

No, I remember the book so well because of Golding's magnificent descriptions of the island. At points, his words were so colorful and vivid that I felt I could have been there, seeing the island for myself.

A few years ago, on a trip to Puerto Rico, my impression of Golding's island came to life. As I looked around my vacation spot, I knew I had seen this place somewhere before, and then I remembered this passage:

"Beyond the platform there was more enchantment. Some act of God — a typhoon perhaps, or the storm that had accompanied his own arrival — had banked sand inside the lagoon so that there was a long, deep pool in the beach with a high ledge of pink granite at the further end. Ralph had been deceived before now by the specious appearance of depth in a beach pool and he approached this one preparing to be disappointed. But the island ran true to form and the incredible pool, which clearly was only invaded by the sea at high tide, was so deep at one end as to be dark green. Ralph inspected the whole thirty yards carefully and then plunged in. The water was warmer than his blood and he might have been swimming in a huge bath."

Does this picture not totally represent this passage or what? (Click on the image for a larger view.) Let me know what you think!

— Carly M., STACKS Staffer