Poverty as Theme in Faulkner and Hurston
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Running head: POVERTY AS THEME IN FAULKNER AND HURSTON
Poverty as Theme in Faulkner and Hurston
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Poverty as Theme in Faulkner and Hurston
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Name of the student
Author note
1POVERTY AS THEME IN FAULKNER AND HURSTON
Annie Alexander
Professor Watson
English 2363
21 October 2018
Poverty as Theme in Faulkner and Hurston
In the year of 1950, William Faulkner received Noble prize for his contribution in
literature. His acceptance speech was so overwhelming that it is considered one of the best
speeches in the history of Noble prize. A closer reading can expose the fact that his early life
in Mississippi has influenced his works at a lerger scale. When it comes to analysising the
creations of Faulkner, readers can observe the theme of southern renaissance, poverty and the
timeline of 1920’s has been highlighed greatly. The entire southern region experienced rapid
transformation during the lifetime of the author. Threfore, he has experienced several
unpleasant incidents in the backdrop of capitalist society. Unplesant memories of world wars,
depopulation and migration of people from southern rural region keep coming back in the
writings of Faulkner (Peyser, Thomas: 8) . A typical style of writing can be recognised where
he has offered dimensions of southern lifestyle as per his own experience. Faulkner was a
member of elite class family thus used to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle for generations. He used
to own slaves, domestic servants and leased lands to domestic farmers even.
Although, having such fortune, he was extreamly moved by the modernisation of
southern region from a perspective of young generation who is both a struggling artist and
returing soldier. Although, Faulkner had an aspiration to join the United States Army, he was
not acknowledged for his short height and ended up being a member of the British Royal
Flying Corps as an alternative. The beginning of 1920s, until the outbreak of World War II
was the most creative period of Faulkner’s career. According to Call, Jordan : 3, one of his
noted work ‘ As I lay dying’ has potrayed the tragic details of modernization as far as the
Annie Alexander
Professor Watson
English 2363
21 October 2018
Poverty as Theme in Faulkner and Hurston
In the year of 1950, William Faulkner received Noble prize for his contribution in
literature. His acceptance speech was so overwhelming that it is considered one of the best
speeches in the history of Noble prize. A closer reading can expose the fact that his early life
in Mississippi has influenced his works at a lerger scale. When it comes to analysising the
creations of Faulkner, readers can observe the theme of southern renaissance, poverty and the
timeline of 1920’s has been highlighed greatly. The entire southern region experienced rapid
transformation during the lifetime of the author. Threfore, he has experienced several
unpleasant incidents in the backdrop of capitalist society. Unplesant memories of world wars,
depopulation and migration of people from southern rural region keep coming back in the
writings of Faulkner (Peyser, Thomas: 8) . A typical style of writing can be recognised where
he has offered dimensions of southern lifestyle as per his own experience. Faulkner was a
member of elite class family thus used to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle for generations. He used
to own slaves, domestic servants and leased lands to domestic farmers even.
Although, having such fortune, he was extreamly moved by the modernisation of
southern region from a perspective of young generation who is both a struggling artist and
returing soldier. Although, Faulkner had an aspiration to join the United States Army, he was
not acknowledged for his short height and ended up being a member of the British Royal
Flying Corps as an alternative. The beginning of 1920s, until the outbreak of World War II
was the most creative period of Faulkner’s career. According to Call, Jordan : 3, one of his
noted work ‘ As I lay dying’ has potrayed the tragic details of modernization as far as the
2POVERTY AS THEME IN FAULKNER AND HURSTON
abrupt end of life of commoners from the southern region is concerned. As per the reading of
Butchart, Liam, ‘As I lay dying’ narrates the story of a poor family experiencing consequent
disastars in Mississipi during 1920’s. Although, the structute is complex, this is simple from
the setting of Burdeners where readers can spot a farming family from northern Mississippi
experiencing poverty.
As far as the theme of poverty is concerned, it has been understood from the previous
discussion that his early life and experiences have influenced his writings at a huge scale. In
this context, one of his most profound short story can be mentioned. “Barn Burning”, written
in 1938, in a slightly comical way, has received high appreciation (Kirchdorfer, Ulf: 11).
Apart from writing numerous short stories, 13 novels were published as examples of
Faulkner’s great work. The central focus of this short story, “Barn Burning”, revolves around
multiple themes. The theme of loyalty to the family and loyalty to the legislature of the
country has been introduced in the first part of the story. Apart from that, how a ten-year-old
boy shows courage and stands beside the right choice; that is the central concern of the
excellent short story. As argued by O’CALLAGHAN : 161, the theme of poverty keeps
coming back as the protagonist belongs to a poor tenant farmer family who live in hunger
much like above-mentioned works of Faulkner.
There were numerous young writers, who were much influenced by his style of
writing. The influence was so distinct that it was prominent in most of the literary works of
that period. The method and style was amazingly hypnotic. However, critics argue influenced
writers tried to fit in the subject was more important than following a particular style. His
methodology of writing influenced the young and receptive talent the most. As he was one of
the most eminent literary figure of American literature, he suffered greatly from envy and
scorn of other eminent rival authors like Earnest Hemingway. He is universally
acknowledged possibly to be the unique modern fiction writer of American literature.
abrupt end of life of commoners from the southern region is concerned. As per the reading of
Butchart, Liam, ‘As I lay dying’ narrates the story of a poor family experiencing consequent
disastars in Mississipi during 1920’s. Although, the structute is complex, this is simple from
the setting of Burdeners where readers can spot a farming family from northern Mississippi
experiencing poverty.
As far as the theme of poverty is concerned, it has been understood from the previous
discussion that his early life and experiences have influenced his writings at a huge scale. In
this context, one of his most profound short story can be mentioned. “Barn Burning”, written
in 1938, in a slightly comical way, has received high appreciation (Kirchdorfer, Ulf: 11).
Apart from writing numerous short stories, 13 novels were published as examples of
Faulkner’s great work. The central focus of this short story, “Barn Burning”, revolves around
multiple themes. The theme of loyalty to the family and loyalty to the legislature of the
country has been introduced in the first part of the story. Apart from that, how a ten-year-old
boy shows courage and stands beside the right choice; that is the central concern of the
excellent short story. As argued by O’CALLAGHAN : 161, the theme of poverty keeps
coming back as the protagonist belongs to a poor tenant farmer family who live in hunger
much like above-mentioned works of Faulkner.
There were numerous young writers, who were much influenced by his style of
writing. The influence was so distinct that it was prominent in most of the literary works of
that period. The method and style was amazingly hypnotic. However, critics argue influenced
writers tried to fit in the subject was more important than following a particular style. His
methodology of writing influenced the young and receptive talent the most. As he was one of
the most eminent literary figure of American literature, he suffered greatly from envy and
scorn of other eminent rival authors like Earnest Hemingway. He is universally
acknowledged possibly to be the unique modern fiction writer of American literature.
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