How would you describe the ending of the book?

Golding's ending utilizes the literary technique called "Deus ex Machina" or "God in the Machine." It means an unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation. In Ancient Greek theatre, the device was utilized by literally lowering a divine-like force from the rafters in a contraption to stop the action. Now the sailor may not have come from the heavens but he certainly abruptly ends Golding's little social experiment. The boys get saved, but really is it of any consequence? The sailor merely ends the book. The damage has been done and with the death of both Simon and Piggy, the boys are already damned.