Absalom, Absalom!

Absalom, Absalom!
According to Raptis Rare Books, the dust jacket was designed by George Salter. P · Public domain · source
Author	William Faulkner
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	Southern Gothic
Publisher	Random House
Publication date	1936
Media type	Print

Absalom, Absalom! is a novel by William Faulkner, published in 1936 by Random House. The book is set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, and explores the complex and troubled history of the American South through the story of Thomas Sutpen, a mysterious and charismatic figure. The novel is considered one of Faulkner's most important works, and its complex narrative structure and themes have been widely studied and analyzed by scholars such as Cleanth Brooks and Harold Bloom. The novel's exploration of Southern Gothic themes and its use of stream-of-consciousness narrative have been compared to the works of James Joyce and Virginia Woolf.

● Background and Publication History

The novel was written by William Faulkner between 1934 and 1935, and was published in 1936 by Random House. The book was Faulkner's sixth novel, and it is considered one of his most important works, along with The Sound and the Fury and As I Lay Dying. The novel's title is taken from the Bible, specifically the story of Absalom in the Book of Samuel, and it explores themes of family, history, and the American South. The novel has been translated into many languages, including French by Maurice-Edgar Coindreau, and has been widely studied in universities such as University of Oxford and Harvard University. The novel's publication was supported by Bennett Cerf, the founder of Random House, and it has been recognized with awards such as the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

● Plot Summary

The novel tells the story of Thomas Sutpen, a mysterious and charismatic figure who appears in Yoknapatawpha County in the early 19th century. Sutpen is a Confederate soldier who fights in the American Civil War, and he is also a slave owner who builds a grand estate called Sutpen's Hundred. The novel explores Sutpen's complex and troubled history, including his relationships with his wife, Ellen Coldfield, and his children, Henry Sutpen and Judith Sutpen. The novel also explores the history of Yoknapatawpha County, including the Native American tribes that once inhabited the area, such as the Chickasaw and the Choctaw. The novel's narrative is presented through multiple perspectives, including those of Quentin Compson, a Harvard University student, and Rosa Coldfield, a spinster who is related to Sutpen's wife. The novel's plot is also influenced by historical events such as the Reconstruction Era and the Ku Klux Klan.

● Characters

The novel features a complex cast of characters, including Thomas Sutpen, Quentin Compson, and Rosa Coldfield. Other important characters include Henry Sutpen, Judith Sutpen, and Charles Bon, a mulatto man who is Sutpen's son. The novel also features a number of minor characters, including Mr. Compson, General Compson, and Wash Jones, a poor white man who is Sutpen's tenant. The characters in the novel are often symbolic, representing different aspects of Southern culture and American history, such as the Old South and the New South. The characters have been analyzed by scholars such as T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound, and have been compared to characters in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Gustave Flaubert.

● Themes and Symbolism

The novel explores a number of themes, including the American South, family, history, and race. The novel is also rich in symbolism, with characters and events representing different aspects of Southern culture and American history. The novel's use of symbolism has been compared to the works of James Joyce and T.S. Eliot, and its exploration of Southern Gothic themes has been compared to the works of Flannery O'Connor and Tennessee Williams. The novel's themes have been analyzed by scholars such as Cleanth Brooks and Harold Bloom, and have been recognized with awards such as the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

● Style and Structure

The novel's style and structure are complex and innovative, featuring multiple narrative perspectives and a non-linear narrative. The novel's use of stream-of-consciousness narrative has been compared to the works of James Joyce and Virginia Woolf, and its exploration of Southern Gothic themes has been compared to the works of Flannery O'Connor and Tennessee Williams. The novel's structure has been analyzed by scholars such as Gertrude Stein and Ezra Pound, and its use of language has been recognized with awards such as the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. The novel's style has also been influenced by the works of William Shakespeare and Homer, and its structure has been compared to the works of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy.

● Reception and Legacy

The novel has been widely praised by critics and scholars, and is considered one of Faulkner's most important works. The novel has been recognized with awards such as the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, and has been translated into many languages. The novel's influence can be seen in the works of many other writers, including Tennessee Williams, Flannery O'Connor, and Don DeLillo. The novel has also been adapted into a number of film and theater productions, including a film directed by Martin Ritt and a play produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The novel's legacy continues to be felt today, with scholars such as Harold Bloom and Toni Morrison recognizing its importance in the canon of American literature. The novel has also been recognized by institutions such as the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Arts. Category:American novels