“Somewhere between and among them”: Faulkner's historical application of alienation in “Light in August”

This research examines the overwhelmingly present theme of alienation in the Faulkner novel Light in August (1932). First, the broader context of the alienated South will be presented, followed by the meanings and usage of the term alienation given to us by Marx, Hegel, Fromm, and Rudnicki. The cond...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Peterson, Marianne
Format Dissertation
LanguageEnglish
Published ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2009
Subjects
American literature
American studies
Faulkner, William (1897-1962)
Fromm, Erich (1900-1980)
Marx, Karl (1818-1883)
Philosophy
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Summary:This research examines the overwhelmingly present theme of alienation in the Faulkner novel Light in August (1932). First, the broader context of the alienated South will be presented, followed by the meanings and usage of the term alienation given to us by Marx, Hegel, Fromm, and Rudnicki. The condition of alienation, primarily manifesting as violence, racism, misogyny, and fugue, will be explored in the characters Mr. and Mrs. Hines, Joe Christmas, Byron Bunch, and Lena Grove—all of whom embody different aspects and degrees of an alienated South as a region struggling both toward and against integration into the whole. What is revealed in the conclusion of this research is that the players moving about in this novel are alienated from themselves or others to an extent that either causes their downfall or propels them, however slowly, into action that seeks wholeness and understanding.
ISBN:1109649193
9781109649192