Defining a "Faulkner Novel"

If there is one to be learned from this semester, it is that trying to pigeon-hole Faulkner into sets of broad, general categories often leaves us with explanation that wants for further explication. However, it is worth trying to find some stylistic and thematic threads to pull at (for grins and a grade if for no other reason).

1. His elements are macabre.Faulkner's characters often struggle with incest, violent impulses (both on sending and receiving end), sexual assault, delusions of grandeur, and a systematic breakdown of both physical and metal capacity. In many characters--such as Darl, Quentin, or Temple--their breakdowns are multi-faceted and incorporate more than one element. To make matters worse for his characters, they are very intelligent enough to understand the intricacies of what's happening (ignorance is bliss after all) and too sensitive to adequately cope with the trauma.  

2. He intentionally misapplies the "grand style" to characters and events most authors and audiences would consider unworthy of such grandiose verbiage. His verbose style often gives characters--Sarty or Benjy for example--unable to communicate complex ideas or observations the ability to do so. His sentence structure makes liberal use of periodic and loose forms--providing details and delving into multiple layers of consciousness within a single sentence. Faulkner's stream of consciousness sections run on (and are sometimes run-ons) seamlessly without pause; whether it's Rosa recalling the demon Sutpen or Addie's postmortem confession, Faulkner often lets his characters digress from their digressions which themselves digress, bounding from one insight to the next without a clear transition.

3. His metaphors are often complex and bizarre. Whether words are spiders or men are mirrors, Faulkner's metaphors require detailed explanations (and some explication at times) for readers to understand both parts of the metaphor in order to grasp the contrast. The imagery is bizarre and seemingly disjointed, adding a layer of complexity to already complex metaphors.

Faulkner employs his complex language to unravel equally complex issues: the dichotomy of the illusion of the old South and its harsh reality, the nature of evil, or death and delirium, Faulkner paints a darkly ironic picture of characters stuck in loops--linguistic, metaphorical, and literal--with the hope readers might recognize the various follies and avoid the pitfalls (or perhaps he did it simply to perplex readers and frustrate publishers, I can't be sure).

Faulkner novels

As a writer, Faulkner had big goals. He wanted to make money. A lot of money, enough to support a lavish lifestyle for him and his family. He also had a desire to be published. I can totally relate to that. In order to accomplish his goals, he had to write with a target audience in mind. His writings employ graphic details, exaggerated situations that people might be able to relate to or symphasize with. He used a newer technique of stream of consciousness writing. Faulkner also had strong feelings and beliefs that he wanted to convey. Many of his feelings were reflected in his current society.

In my opinion, I liked his writing style. Sometimes his stories ran on a bit, for example chapter Shreve from Absalom, Absalom! I do wish his topics would have been a bit more upbeat. I have gained an enlightenment on how to make characters or ideas die off and to make the reader wonder about the future.

A Faulkner Novel Is:

I believe a “Faulkner Novel” is composed of a series of characterizations that are specific to his plot make up. There is first, the very present incestual behavior, whether between actual siblings or paternal and maternal characters. The dysfunctional southern family trying to uphold lost honor is another standing tradition in “Faulkner Novels.” This includes the parents who do not behave as paternal or maternal guidance and often overlook the problems it is their responsibility to resolve leaving it to the children, these people can also just be characters that are maternal and paternal influences and not actually related to the main characters. Some of the most common characters in “Faulkner Novels are the ones most wronged by the southern society that is usually obsessed in some way with time and coming to a reasonable understanding of their situation. Secondly, there is most often absent female centers in the novels. This is a woman central to the plotline in some way who appears briefly or not at all and is spoken of by other characters but her thoughts and words are rarely heard. She is usually very important to the character obsessed with time, understanding and the code of the southern gentleman. There is sometimes a character that is in some way a fighter and their fight creates conflict with the other characters, they usually hold a value that they cannot let go of. These characters also, in some aspect of their personality or mannerisms, exemplify the southern gentlemanly values. In these ways I believe that Faulkner achieves his individuality as a writer through the manner of characters that he creates. These characters are not modeled after the writings of any other author I know and most of the times these rash characters are not people other authors would dare to touch upon. This is why Faulkner’s writing depicted the south in a way no other author could in his time and perhaps up through our time.