Lealand's+rant+on+William+Faulkner

Born - September 25, 1897 Died - July 6, 1962

William Faulkner is one of the most recognized Nobel Prize winning authors of all time. He is praised for his short stories and novels which contain a brilliant scheme of southern Gothic mystery. He created believable characters and stories drenched in suspense. Before becoming an author, he grew up in Oxford, Mississippi and wound up joining the Canadian, then later the British, Air Force during WWI. After he studied at the University of Mississippi, he then moved on to part time jobs such as working for a New York bookstore and a Newspaper in Louisiana. Every now and again, Faulkner would take a trip to Europe, Asia, or Hollywood, but where he really felt at home was at his farm in Oxford working on his novels and short stories.

In his attempt to create a saga, Faulkner took fictional yet believable characters and intertwined their life and drama into actual history. Each story, every sentence on every page, plays a part in the construction of Yoknapatawpha County and its locals. The over all theme is the erosion of the old south, as seen with the Compson and Sartoris families, and the presence of interlopers, such as the Snopeses.

Famous Works: __The Sound and the Fury__ (1929) - This novel details the downfall of the Compson family as seen through the eyes of Jason Compson III, Quentin Compson, Caddy Compson, Jason Compson IV, and Benjy Compson.

__Sanctuary__ (1931) - This novel entails the fall from grace of Temple Drake, a young girl from a well respected southern family.

__Requiem for a Nun__ (1951) - The sequel to __Sanctuary__, this book, written in a dramatic fashion, highlights the trial of an African American woman who had one played a part in Temple Drake's activities.

__Light in August__ (1931) - This is where the reader sees Faulkner bring out racial issues personified by his main character, Joe Christmas. Joe believes that one of his parents might have been African American; although, no proof can be found.

__Absalom, Absalom!__ (1936) - This work also brings out racial issues as a young man is cast aside by his father for having mixed blood.

__Intruder in the Dust__ (1948) - This is perhaps his most controversial novel in existence, as it heavily brings out racial issues.

The Snopes Trilogy: This saga is about the rise to power of the Snopes family. __The Hamlet__, __The Town__, and __The Mansion__ are its installments.

In 1962, the year of his death, his last work, __The Reivers__, appeared out of hiding. It was his most humorous book to date and contained many similarities to Mark Twain's __Huckleberry Finn__.

Sources: [|William Faulkner - Biography] [|The Sound and the Fury - character list]