Analysis Of Characterization In Light In August

William Faulkner was one of the greatest American South novelists in the twentieth century. Light in August, one of the masterpieces in the series of Faulkner's novels set in his fictional saga "Yoknapatawpha County", is one of the controversial novels written by Faulkner. Faulkner portrayed a panoramic view of American South as well as that of human nature in Light in August, showing multiple themes such as the predicament of loneliness and puzzlement of the Southerners, racist fight and prejudice, harmful effect of Calvinism and Christianity on man's mind, the shadow of ancestors, and redemption of human beings. Faulkner created all sorts of characters with abnormal behaviors in Light in August. They have various psychological disorders, adopting a variety of defense mechanisms-some are positive and healthy, some are negative and unhealthy, others are mediate-in getting along with others, to deal with anxieties and to maintain their self-images. This thesis intends to make an analysis of the characters'abnormal behaviors in the novel and to reflect on the defense mechanisms used by them based on theories in Abnormal Psychology coauthored by American psychologists V. Mark Durand and David H. Barlow. At the same time, theories in Theories of Personality written by American psychologists Duane P. Schultz and Sydney Ellen Schultz, Freud's psychoanalytical theories and theories of the four-level division of defense mechanisms are also mentioned and applied in this thesis.This thesis falls into three chapters. Chapter One analyzes the characters'abnormal behaviors in Light in August from the perspective of abnormal psychology. Chapter Two explores the root of the distorted souls in the absurd world, mentioning the social and cultural factors and applying Freud's theory of libido to analyze Christmas'and Joanna's distorted sexual desires. In addition, this thesis explores the normality in abnormal behaviors in this part, concluding that the abnormal behaviors have their roots and the good eventually overcomes the evil. Chapter Three discusses the defense mechanisms used by the characters in Light in August. In this chapter, four levels of defense mechanisms are applied to analyze the characters'behaviors, with avoidance and asceticism analyzed as a separation. Moreover, a summary and some reflections are also made in this chapter.We might all face a variety of anxieties now and then in our life. If we could not cope with them well, we might get psychological disorders, even worse, greatly damage our mental health and harm others'benefits. Therefore, it is very necessary and important for us to reflect on others' behaviors and find proper methods to deal with our own anxieties. We should adopt positive and healthy defense mechanisms, enriching the power of our positive personality, improving our personal relationships, trusting and helping each other more, advancing the harmony between us, so that our social environment, living as well as our own psychological conditions could be improved. This thesis aims to provide a basis and some references for us to build up healthy personality, to improve personal relationship and to raise living quality, through the analysis of the abnormal behaviors of the characters in Light in August and the defense mechanisms they use.Faulkner's Light in August still has widespread practical significance in contemporary society. Making an analysis of the abnormal behaviors of the characters in Light in August as well as the defense mechanisms they use to deal with anxieties and to maintain their self-images is instructive for us to deal with the real problems in our life.