Analysis of Light in August by William Faulkner created and presented by Patricia Geary Schoene all rights reserved Notes taken from a variety of sources

Analysis ofAnalysis ofLight in AugustLight in August

by by William FaulknerWilliam Faulkner

created and presented by created and presented by Patricia Geary SchoenePatricia Geary Schoene

all rights reservedall rights reserved

Notes taken from a variety of sources including Notes taken from a variety of sources including Lawrence Thompson, Norman Holmes Pierson, Lawrence Thompson, Norman Holmes Pierson,

Charles R. BakerCharles R. Baker

Faulkner’s charactersFaulkner’s characters

““All the lonely people, where do they all come All the lonely people, where do they all come from? from? All the lonely people where do they all All the lonely people where do they all belong?” belong?” BeatlesBeatles

All the main characters are isolated outcasts or All the main characters are isolated outcasts or strangers to the community of Jeffersonstrangers to the community of Jefferson

Lena GroveLena Grove

A simple and naïve country girl – innocent –A simple and naïve country girl – innocent –believes in lovebelieves in love

““Thou still unravished bride of quietness/ Thou still unravished bride of quietness/ Thou foster-child of silence and slow time” Thou foster-child of silence and slow time” Ode on a Grecian UrnOde on a Grecian Urn

““she advanced… like something moving she advanced… like something moving forever and without progress across an urn” p. forever and without progress across an urn” p. 77


Antithesis of Joe Christmas Not burdened by Antithesis of Joe Christmas Not burdened by pastpast

A foil to Joe Christmas - orphaned A foil to Joe Christmas - orphaned Not burdened by religiously imposed guilt – Not burdened by religiously imposed guilt –

believes the lord will see to it that the family believes the lord will see to it that the family will be togetherwill be together

Inspires others to help herInspires others to help her

LenaLena

An earth goddess –fertility - bovine, placid, An earth goddess –fertility - bovine, placid, calm, unchanged, timeless – calm, unchanged, timeless –

““Faulkner begins by establishing her pagan Faulkner begins by establishing her pagan kinship with Mother Earth and with the fruitful kinship with Mother Earth and with the fruitful light of August: ‘swollen, slow deliberate, light of August: ‘swollen, slow deliberate, unhurried and tireless as augmenting afternoon unhurried and tireless as augmenting afternoon itself … with that providential caution of the itself … with that providential caution of the old earth of and with and by which she lives.’” old earth of and with and by which she lives.’” (Thompson 80)(Thompson 80)


Hightower thinks “Hightower thinks “That will be her life, her That will be her life, her destiny. The good stock peopling in tranquil destiny. The good stock peopling in tranquil obedience to it the good earth; from these obedience to it the good earth; from these hearty loins without hurry or haste descending hearty loins without hurry or haste descending mother and daughter. But by Byron mother and daughter. But by Byron engendered next” engendered next” (406)(406)..


Carrying an illegitimate child – who is born on Carrying an illegitimate child – who is born on the morning of the day that Joe Christmas is to the morning of the day that Joe Christmas is to diedie

New bornNew born

Content with mother – her repose in a troubled Content with mother – her repose in a troubled world of estrangementworld of estrangement

He is a token of community – a Christ child – He is a token of community – a Christ child – related to all mankind:related to all mankind:

New Born ChildNew Born Child

Bastard of BurchBastard of Burch foster son of Bunchfoster son of Bunch restores life to Miss Burden’s property, restores life to Miss Burden’s property, the godson of Hightower – who delivers baby the godson of Hightower – who delivers baby apparent child of Joe Christmas - in the eyes of apparent child of Joe Christmas - in the eyes of

Joe’s grandmother Mrs. Hines, who says, “It’s Joe’s grandmother Mrs. Hines, who says, “It’s Joey. It’s my Milly’s little boy” (398)Joey. It’s my Milly’s little boy” (398)

And also of Lena, who says, “and I think And also of Lena, who says, “and I think that his pa is that Mr. Christmas too” (409).that his pa is that Mr. Christmas too” (409).

New Born ChildNew Born Child The newborn’s birth is a positive reenactment The newborn’s birth is a positive reenactment

of the birth of Joe Christmas because the of the birth of Joe Christmas because the community comes to Lena’s aid to be sure the community comes to Lena’s aid to be sure the child is safe – the isolation of all the main child is safe – the isolation of all the main characters is broken by the birth of the child.characters is broken by the birth of the child.

The child is the future. He too is a bastard The child is the future. He too is a bastard child, but he will be loved. He symbolically is child, but he will be loved. He symbolically is JC reborn, but he elicits compassion rather JC reborn, but he elicits compassion rather than hatred. than hatred.

Byron BunchByron Bunch The furniture repairer says of Byron he was The furniture repairer says of Byron he was

“the kind of fellow you wouldn’t see at fist “the kind of fellow you wouldn’t see at fist glance if he was alone by himself in the glance if he was alone by himself in the bottom of an empty swimming pool” (495).bottom of an empty swimming pool” (495).

And – “the kind that would hold a job steady And – “the kind that would hold a job steady and work at the same job a long time, without and work at the same job a long time, without bothering anybody about a raise neither, long bothering anybody about a raise neither, long as they let him keep on working (496).as they let him keep on working (496).

Member of the great bunch (or mass) of Member of the great bunch (or mass) of people who do not have the tragic intensity of people who do not have the tragic intensity of Joe, Joanna, or Hightower.Joe, Joanna, or Hightower.

Byron BunchByron Bunch

Unsure of himself – he stumbles every time he Unsure of himself – he stumbles every time he enters Hightower’s houseenters Hightower’s house

Works six days a week – leads a choir on Works six days a week – leads a choir on Sunday mornings – all to stay out of troubleSunday mornings – all to stay out of trouble

Isolation broken by Lena – he becomes more Isolation broken by Lena – he becomes more assertive, no longer stumblesassertive, no longer stumbles

Takes on the role of Joseph – sees Lena as a Takes on the role of Joseph – sees Lena as a virgin (page 401) even though she is pregnant. virgin (page 401) even though she is pregnant. Provides care for Lena and baby. Provides care for Lena and baby.

Byron the Bold LoverByron the Bold Lover

Faulkner ends the novel with Byron in pursuit Faulkner ends the novel with Byron in pursuit of Lena. Hightower has predicted that they of Lena. Hightower has predicted that they will eventually marry and have many childrenwill eventually marry and have many children

Faulkner leaves Byron as the lover in the Faulkner leaves Byron as the lover in the poem: “Bold lover never, never canst thou poem: “Bold lover never, never canst thou kiss,/ tho winning near the goal” kiss,/ tho winning near the goal”

Gail HightowerGail Hightower

Gail – “a sort of cyclone that did not even Gail – “a sort of cyclone that did not even need to touch the actual earth. ….it was as if need to touch the actual earth. ….it was as if he couldn’t get religion and that galloping he couldn’t get religion and that galloping cavalry and his dead grandfather shot from the cavalry and his dead grandfather shot from the galloping horse untangled from each other… galloping horse untangled from each other… (62)(62)

Hightower – a perch from which he watches Hightower – a perch from which he watches all all


An intellectual immersed in Keats and An intellectual immersed in Keats and Tennyson – (romantic hero worship)Tennyson – (romantic hero worship)

Preoccupied with the glory and crimes of the Preoccupied with the glory and crimes of the past (particularly of the Civil War)past (particularly of the Civil War)

A failed minister, a failed husbandA failed minister, a failed husband Now isolated and cut off from lifeNow isolated and cut off from life

Hightower anticipates the lynchingHightower anticipates the lynching ““It seems to him that the past week has rushed like a It seems to him that the past week has rushed like a

torrent and that the week to come, which will begin torrent and that the week to come, which will begin tomorrow, is the abyss, and that now on the brink of tomorrow, is the abyss, and that now on the brink of cataract the stream has raised a single blended and cataract the stream has raised a single blended and sonorous and austere cry, not for justification but as a sonorous and austere cry, not for justification but as a dying salute before its own plunge, and not to any dying salute before its own plunge, and not to any god but god but to the doomed man in the barred cell to the doomed man in the barred cell within hearing of them and of two other within hearing of them and of two other churches, and in whose crucifixion they too churches, and in whose crucifixion they too will raise a crosswill raise a cross. ‘And they will do it gladly… . ‘And they will do it gladly… Since to pity him would be to admit self doubt and to Since to pity him would be to admit self doubt and to hope for and need pity themselves. They will do it hope for and need pity themselves. They will do it gladly, gladly. That’s why it is so terrible, terrible, gladly, gladly. That’s why it is so terrible, terrible, terrible” (368). terrible” (368).

Holds clergy responsible: “that which is destroying Holds clergy responsible: “that which is destroying the Church is not the outward groping of those within the Church is not the outward groping of those within it nor the inward groping of those without, but the it nor the inward groping of those without, but the professionals who control it and who have removed professionals who control it and who have removed the bells from its steeples. He seems to see them, the bells from its steeples. He seems to see them, endless, without order, empty, symbolical, bleak, endless, without order, empty, symbolical, bleak, skypointed not with ecstasy or passion but in skypointed not with ecstasy or passion but in adjuration, threat, and doom. He seems to see the adjuration, threat, and doom. He seems to see the churches of the world like a rampart, like one of those churches of the world like a rampart, like one of those barricades of the middle ages planted with dead and barricades of the middle ages planted with dead and sharpened stakes, against truth and against peace in sharpened stakes, against truth and against peace in which to sin and be forgiven which is the life of which to sin and be forgiven which is the life of man….. I served it. I served it by using it to forward man….. I served it. I served it by using it to forward my own desire” (487). my own desire” (487).


Imposes his own circle – in the end sees the Imposes his own circle – in the end sees the wheel turningwheel turning

In the end holds himself responsible – knows In the end holds himself responsible – knows he failed his wife and his churchhe failed his wife and his church

Eventually admits that grandfather was killed Eventually admits that grandfather was killed ignominiously in a henhouse while stealing ignominiously in a henhouse while stealing chickenschickens

Faulkner’s comment on mythologizing the Faulkner’s comment on mythologizing the Civil WarCivil War

Eupheus (Doc) Hines – The janitorEupheus (Doc) Hines – The janitor

The janitor – “his eyes were quite clear, quite The janitor – “his eyes were quite clear, quite gray, quite cold. They were quite mad too.”gray, quite cold. They were quite mad too.”

Beard like a goatBeard like a goat

Doc HinesDoc Hines

Mrs. Hines says of him, “He said he had to Mrs. Hines says of him, “He said he had to fight because he is littler than most men and so fight because he is littler than most men and so folks would try to put on him. That was his folks would try to put on him. That was his vanity and his pride. But I told him it was vanity and his pride. But I told him it was because the devil was in him” (372).because the devil was in him” (372).

Doc HinesDoc Hines

Sees self as an instrument of God – Sees self as an instrument of God – Misuses Christianity to justify hatred– Mrs. Misuses Christianity to justify hatred– Mrs.

Hines says of him -[earlier] “He [was] doing Hines says of him -[earlier] “He [was] doing well because he hadn’t begun then to take well because he hadn’t begun then to take God’s name in vain and in pride to justify and God’s name in vain and in pride to justify and excuse the devil that was in him” (373). excuse the devil that was in him” (373).

Doc HinesDoc Hines

A misogynist – “It’s God’s abomination of A misogynist – “It’s God’s abomination of woman flesh!” (373). woman flesh!” (373).

A racist – “Telling old Doc Hines, that A racist – “Telling old Doc Hines, that knowed better, that he was a Mexican. When knowed better, that he was a Mexican. When old Doc Hines could see in his face the black old Doc Hines could see in his face the black curse of God Almighty” (374).curse of God Almighty” (374).

““He ain’t never said how he found out [the He ain’t never said how he found out [the racial identity of Milly’s lover] like that never racial identity of Milly’s lover] like that never made any difference” (374). made any difference” (374).

Doc HinesDoc Hines

““The Lord told old Doc Hines what to do and The Lord told old Doc Hines what to do and old Doc Hines watched and heard the mouths old Doc Hines watched and heard the mouths of little children, of God’s own fatherless and of little children, of God’s own fatherless and motherless, putting His words and knowledge motherless, putting His words and knowledge into their mouths even when they couldn’t into their mouths even when they couldn’t know it since they were without sin yet, even know it since they were without sin yet, even the girl ones without sin and bitchery yet: the girl ones without sin and bitchery yet: Nigger! Nigger! In the innocent mouths of Nigger! Nigger! In the innocent mouths of little children” (382).little children” (382).

Doc HinesDoc Hines

A Christian who allows his own A Christian who allows his own daughter to die in childbirth daughter to die in childbirth because she is unwed. because she is unwed.

A Christian who abandons his A Christian who abandons his own grandson on Christmas Eve. own grandson on Christmas Eve.

Mrs. HinesMrs. Hines

““I don’t think that the old lady had any hope of I don’t think that the old lady had any hope of saving him when she came, any actual hope. Isaving him when she came, any actual hope. I

believe that all she wanted was that he die believe that all she wanted was that he die “decent”, as she put it. Decently hung by a “decent”, as she put it. Decently hung by a Force, a principle; not burned or hacked or Force, a principle; not burned or hacked or dragged by a Thing (445).dragged by a Thing (445).

This is Faulkner’s specific comment on the This is Faulkner’s specific comment on the brutality of lynching. brutality of lynching.

Percy GrimmPercy Grimm TheThe grim reaper who says to the castrated and dying grim reaper who says to the castrated and dying

Joe Christmas, “Now you’ll let white women alone, Joe Christmas, “Now you’ll let white women alone, even in hell” (464).even in hell” (464).

Claims God’s guidance as the justification for his Claims God’s guidance as the justification for his final action in castrating and killing Joe Christmas. final action in castrating and killing Joe Christmas. Motivated by “a sublime and implicit faith in physical Motivated by “a sublime and implicit faith in physical courage and blind obedience, and a belief that the courage and blind obedience, and a belief that the white race is superior to any and all other races and white race is superior to any and all other races and that the American uniform is superior to all men, and that the American uniform is superior to all men, and that all that would ever be required of him in that all that would ever be required of him in payment for this belief, this privilege, would be his payment for this belief, this privilege, would be his own life” (451).Faulkner called him his Hitler. own life” (451).Faulkner called him his Hitler.

LynchingLynching More than 2,500 lynchings in last 16 years of the More than 2,500 lynchings in last 16 years of the

1800’s – the great majority of which were of 1800’s – the great majority of which were of Negroes, with Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Negroes, with Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana leading the nation. (Faulkner was born in Louisiana leading the nation. (Faulkner was born in Mississippi in 1897 and died there in 1962). Mississippi in 1897 and died there in 1962).

More than 100 Negroes lynched in the first year of More than 100 Negroes lynched in the first year of the twentieth century.the twentieth century.

By 1914, more than 1,100 lynchings in US since By 1914, more than 1,100 lynchings in US since 1900.1900.

Source: Source: From Slavery to Freedom A History of Negro From Slavery to Freedom A History of Negro AmericansAmericans by John Hope Franklin page 439-440 by John Hope Franklin page 439-440

Joanna BurdenJoanna Burden

Jo and a burden - Burdened by the past – Jo and a burden - Burdened by the past – isolated from communityisolated from community

Carries the legacy of taking up the white Carries the legacy of taking up the white man’s man’s burdenburden –granddaughter and daughter of –granddaughter and daughter of fanatical abolitionists, carpetbaggers– “Damn fanatical abolitionists, carpetbaggers– “Damn lowbuilt black folks: lowbuilt because of the lowbuilt black folks: lowbuilt because of the weight of the wrath of God, black because of weight of the wrath of God, black because of the sin of human bondage staining their blood the sin of human bondage staining their blood and flesh” (247). and flesh” (247).

““But after that I seemed to see them for the But after that I seemed to see them for the first time not as people, but as a thing, a first time not as people, but as a thing, a shadow in which I lived, we lived, all white shadow in which I lived, we lived, all white people, all other people. I thought of all the people, all other people. I thought of all the children coming forever and ever into the children coming forever and ever into the world, white, with the black shadow already world, white, with the black shadow already falling upon them before they drew breath. falling upon them before they drew breath. And I seemed to see the black shadow in the And I seemed to see the black shadow in the shape of a cross…” (253). shape of a cross…” (253).

Joe and JoannaJoe and Joanna

Faulkner reverses slave master and slave Faulkner reverses slave master and slave sexual roles. Joe treated like slave – eats in sexual roles. Joe treated like slave – eats in kitchen “His hands saw; the dishes were still kitchen “His hands saw; the dishes were still warm, thinking warm, thinking Set out for the nigger. For the Set out for the nigger. For the nigger’ (238)nigger’ (238)

Responds to myth or stereotype of black man’s Responds to myth or stereotype of black man’s sexual prowess – cries out “Negro! Negro! sexual prowess – cries out “Negro! Negro! Negro!” (260). Becomes nymphomaniacNegro!” (260). Becomes nymphomaniac

Joanna and JoeJoanna and Joe

Believes she is with child –Offers Joe a life, Believes she is with child –Offers Joe a life, which requires that (although his skin is which requires that (although his skin is parchment (white) he embrace being a Negro.parchment (white) he embrace being a Negro.

Eventually she and Joe realize she has entered Eventually she and Joe realize she has entered menopause . Starts to feel she must reform, menopause . Starts to feel she must reform, give up the sinful life she has experienced with give up the sinful life she has experienced with Joe. Asks him, insists that he pray with her. Joe. Asks him, insists that he pray with her.

Triggers Joe’s memories of abuse at hands of Triggers Joe’s memories of abuse at hands of McEachernMcEachern

Joe and JoannaJoe and Joanna

Shoots at Joe believing they would both be Shoots at Joe believing they would both be better off dead. better off dead.

The gun misfiresThe gun misfires Joe uses his only possession the razor to kill Joe uses his only possession the razor to kill

her, but it is self defenseher, but it is self defense

Joe ChristmasJoe Christmas

Abandoned on Christmas EveAbandoned on Christmas Eveasks “Is God a nigger too?”(383).asks “Is God a nigger too?”(383).

“… “… there was something definitely rootless there was something definitely rootless about him, as though no town nor city was his, about him, as though no town nor city was his, no street, no walls, no square of earth his no street, no walls, no square of earth his home” (31) home” (31)

Asks, “Just when do men that have different Asks, “Just when do men that have different blood in them stop hating one another? “ (249)blood in them stop hating one another? “ (249)


Victim of misogynistic and racist beliefs Victim of misogynistic and racist beliefs justified by religion– ostracized by both white justified by religion– ostracized by both white and black communities. Marginal, bereaved, and black communities. Marginal, bereaved, outraged – wants merely to live -“All I outraged – wants merely to live -“All I wanted was peace. Was that so much to ask?”wanted was peace. Was that so much to ask?”

Insists on his right to be humanInsists on his right to be human Naturalism – JC a victim of forces of heredity, Naturalism – JC a victim of forces of heredity,

environment, neurotic causation, social environment, neurotic causation, social maladjustment. maladjustment.

Repetitive pattern of life – a circle – from the Repetitive pattern of life – a circle – from the silver dollar given by dietitian to the pattern of silver dollar given by dietitian to the pattern of flight – wants to break out of circle – to define flight – wants to break out of circle – to define self as human. With each woman he has a self as human. With each woman he has a chance to break out of circle, but he succumbs chance to break out of circle, but he succumbs to compulsion to preserve isolation.to compulsion to preserve isolation.

Motif of food – from dietitian, to Bobbie the Motif of food – from dietitian, to Bobbie the waitress, to Joanna’s first statement to him: “If waitress, to Joanna’s first statement to him: “If it’s just food you want, you will find that” it’s just food you want, you will find that” (231) to his obsession with food and then the (231) to his obsession with food and then the necessity to eat (334). What is the significance necessity to eat (334). What is the significance of this motif? of this motif?

he is entering it again, the street which ran for he is entering it again, the street which ran for thirty years… It had made a circle and he is thirty years… It had made a circle and he is still inside of it. Though during the last seven still inside of it. Though during the last seven days he has had no paved street, yet he has days he has had no paved street, yet he has traveled further than in all thirty years before. traveled further than in all thirty years before. And yet he is still inside the circle. ‘And yet I And yet he is still inside the circle. ‘And yet I have been further in these seven days than in have been further in these seven days than in all the thirty years,’ he thinks. ‘But I have all the thirty years,’ he thinks. ‘But I have never got outside the circle…” (339).never got outside the circle…” (339).


”…”…he was hearing a myriad sounds… voices he was hearing a myriad sounds… voices … thinking … thinking God perhaps and me not knowing God perhaps and me not knowing that toothat too He could see it like a printed sentence, He could see it like a printed sentence, fullborn and already dead fullborn and already dead God loves me too God loves me too like the faded and weathered letters on a last like the faded and weathered letters on a last year’s billboard year’s billboard God Loves me too (105).God Loves me too (105).

Joe’s racial identityJoe’s racial identity

When as a small child Joe asks a black man, When as a small child Joe asks a black man, “How come you are a nigger?” the man “How come you are a nigger?” the man responds, “Who told you I am a nigger, you responds, “Who told you I am a nigger, you little white trash bastard? And he says ‘I ain’t little white trash bastard? And he says ‘I ain’t a nigger’ and the nigger says ‘You are worse a nigger’ and the nigger says ‘You are worse than that. You don’t know what you are. And than that. You don’t know what you are. And more than that, you won’t never know. You’ll more than that, you won’t never know. You’ll live and you’ll die and you won’t ever know” live and you’ll die and you won’t ever know” (384).(384).

Evidence of Joe’s raceEvidence of Joe’s race Faulkner once said that the worst fate was to Faulkner once said that the worst fate was to

not know who you are, but he also repeatedly not know who you are, but he also repeatedly suggests that Joe’s father was Mexican.suggests that Joe’s father was Mexican.

When Joanna asks, how do you know [that one When Joanna asks, how do you know [that one of your parents was part Negro], Joe answers, of your parents was part Negro], Joe answers, “I don’t know it….If I’m not, damned if I “I don’t know it….If I’m not, damned if I haven’t wasted a lot of time” (254).haven’t wasted a lot of time” (254).

Every time a black person is asked about Joe, Every time a black person is asked about Joe, he is described as a white man: pages 293, he is described as a white man: pages 293, 322, 324, 329322, 324, 329

Joe described as whiteJoe described as white He will look just like a pea in a pan full of coffee He will look just like a pea in a pan full of coffee

beans (if sent to an orphanage for black children). beans (if sent to an orphanage for black children). (130).(130).

““Christmas! That white nigger that did the killing up Christmas! That white nigger that did the killing up at Jefferson last week!”(344)at Jefferson last week!”(344)

““He don’t look no more like a nigger than I do, He don’t look no more like a nigger than I do, either” (346).either” (346).

““He don’t look any more like a nigger than I do…” He don’t look any more like a nigger than I do…” (349.(349.

““He went into a white barbarshop like a white man, He went into a white barbarshop like a white man, and because he looked like a white man they never and because he looked like a white man they never suspected him…” (349)suspected him…” (349)

““He never acted like either a nigger or a white He never acted like either a nigger or a white man….It was like he never knew he was a man….It was like he never knew he was a murderer, let alone a nigger too” (350).murderer, let alone a nigger too” (350).

““[Hines] ain’t never said how he found out [Hines] ain’t never said how he found out [about the racial identity of Milly’s partner], [about the racial identity of Milly’s partner], like that never made any differencelike that never made any difference” (374)” (374)

Hines “grabbed the man that might have been Hines “grabbed the man that might have been a stranger or a neighbor a stranger or a neighbor for all he could have for all he could have known by sight or hearingknown by sight or hearing. Grabbed him by . Grabbed him by one hand… and shot him dead… and left the one hand… and shot him dead… and left the man in the road” (376).man in the road” (376).

……it was just that circus man that said he was a it was just that circus man that said he was a nigger and maybe he never knew for certain” nigger and maybe he never knew for certain” (378).(378).

Faulkner deliberately leaves Joe’s racial Faulkner deliberately leaves Joe’s racial identity uncertain, but repeatedly suggests that identity uncertain, but repeatedly suggests that he is not black at all. he is not black at all.

In Schoene’s opinion, this is the ultimate In Schoene’s opinion, this is the ultimate criticism of the irrational nature of racism. criticism of the irrational nature of racism.

Racism is rooted only in irrational hatred, not Racism is rooted only in irrational hatred, not in the color of a man’s skin. in the color of a man’s skin.


He is killed for the sins of others. He is killed for the sins of others. Faulkner holds southerners up for scrutiny for Faulkner holds southerners up for scrutiny for

misusing Christianity as a means to justify misusing Christianity as a means to justify their hatreds.their hatreds.

““Light in AugustLight in August provides an provides an intensely ironic representation of intensely ironic representation of those analogous characters who find those analogous characters who find it convenient to lay their burdens on it convenient to lay their burdens on the Lord and thus excuse themselves the Lord and thus excuse themselves from any responsibility which is from any responsibility which is inconvenient” (Thompson 77). inconvenient” (Thompson 77).

JC as scapegoatJC as scapegoat

Joe Christmas is “misused as a scapegoat by Joe Christmas is “misused as a scapegoat by those elements of his society who have first those elements of his society who have first made him in their own image and have then made him in their own image and have then dodged their own moral responsibilities by dodged their own moral responsibilities by attempting to heap their own sins on him, as attempting to heap their own sins on him, as they crucify him, so that they may obtain the they crucify him, so that they may obtain the illusion of having thus achieved some form of illusion of having thus achieved some form of purification and redemption.purification and redemption.

The Christ figureThe Christ figure

Matthew 25: 40Matthew 25: 40

Jesus said, “Whatever you did unto the least Jesus said, “Whatever you did unto the least of these you did unto me…”of these you did unto me…”

Joe Christmas – who believed he was of mixed Joe Christmas – who believed he was of mixed race in a strictly segregated society where race in a strictly segregated society where Negroes were despised - was certainly the Negroes were despised - was certainly the least of these.least of these.

“ “Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woeThou shalt remain, in midst of other woe

Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say’st, Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say’st,

Beauty is truth, truth beauty”… that is all Beauty is truth, truth beauty”… that is all

Ye know on earth and all ye need to know.”Ye know on earth and all ye need to know.”

John Keats John Keats

Faulkner’s Nobel Prize Faulkner’s Nobel Prize Acceptance SpeechAcceptance Speech

I believe that man will not merely endure: he I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because …he will prevail. He is immortal, not because …he has a voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit has a voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and capable of compassion and sacrifice and enduarance. The poet’s, the writer’s, duty is to enduarance. The poet’s, the writer’s, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past. sacrifice which have been the glory of his past.

Faulkner’s Nobel PrizeFaulkner’s Nobel PrizeAcceptance SpeechAcceptance Speech

The poet’s voice need not merely be the record The poet’s voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail. to help him endure and prevail.

Documents

Analysis of Light in August by William Faulkner created and presented by Patricia Geary Schoene all rights reserved Notes taken from a variety of sources