LIGHT IN AUGUST: Memory believes before knowing remembers

William Faulkner was concerned with the effects of memory in the construction of one’s identity when he wrote one of his most famous work, “Light in August”. As such, most of the narrative is a long flashback detailing what has happened to Joe Christmas that defined he as the person he is. Readers can follow the ups and downs in his life and the search of his own identity. There something deterministic in his story, since this man is the result of the environment he was brought up.

Christmas’s story is intertwined with two other characters’: Lena, a pregnant girl in search of the father of her child; and Reverend Gail Hightower, a former minister that has faced hard times and now is haunted by ghost from the past. But for most of the middle section of “Light in August” Faulkner focus on Christmas that is, indeed, a very peculiar and extremely well developed character.

Compared to other books by Faulkner, such as “The Sound and The Fury” and “Abasom, Absalom”, it is an easier and minor work. Here, his devices such as stream of consciousness is not as present as in the other novels. Therefore, reading it is `easier’ -as far as reading Faulkner can be an easy task. It is an interesting form of start reading Faulkner for those who are interested and haven’t read any yet.

Even tough the structure is not as complex and difficult as “The Sound and The Fury”, “Light in August” has tools that are common in Faulkner’s style, such as digressions and flashbacks. This is one of the reasons why reading this author requires double attention. Scenes from the past pop up throughout the narrative out of the blue. At the same time, he is more interested in the interior life of his characters, and for the reader understand that, he provides a thoroughly depicted background. Moreover, his prose is poetic and his text laboured.

In his work, Faulkner created another universe that is at the same time a mirror and a microcosm of the South of the USA – and that can be applied to the whole world as well. His characters are trying to get out of this world, but hardly can manage to escape, due to exterior factors, such as racism, violence and so on. “Light in August” is a good example of book that summarizes his interests and provides an unforgettable piece of literature.

Originalmente publicado em www.Amazon.com em 22/02/06