The Symbolic Meaning Of Light And Darkness In Light In August

Light in August is Faulkner's longest novel. It is well known that Faulkner's work is difficult to understand. Since the first outcome of the novel, there has been far from well comprehension. After 1990s, the European and American literary critics focus on this novel and make great achievement.In every aspect, this novel is a masterpiece. It has complex plots and distinct characterization. The novel combines the stories happened on Joe Christmas, Hightower and Lena. It not only explores racialism but also criticizes Puritanism.On the basis of its two titles, the Dark House and Light in August, the author tries to analyze the symbolic meaning of light and darkness in the novel. As mentioned by many critics, light refers to the affirmation of human spirit and it opposes to darkness, which refers to the evils. The whole society is a dark house and fetters all the main characters. Finally, their life is destroyed. Light refers to virtues. Lena represents the virtues of integrity and peacefulness. Hightower breaks the self-fetters, and he tries to sacrifices himself to save Joe Christmas. Finally, what Joe Christmas pursues is not his identity as a black or a white but to be a true human being. Joanna opposes to the slavery and even sacrificed her life to help the black people. Through the contrast of light and darkness, the writer successfully developed the plots and made good characterization. They find unity in reflecting human nature, too. The writer uses the symbolic meaning of them skillfully and achieves a successful writing.