On The Polyphonic Features Of Light In August

As one of the masterpieces of the outstanding American modernist writer William Faulkner, Light in August has been well received since its publication in 1932. However some critics complain that the novel makes the reader confused with loose structure, ambiguous themes and an anti-conventional ending. Added to this confusion are a few questionable points in the novel. The present thesis is to illustrate the polyphonic features of dialogism, plurality and openness in Light in August based on Mikhail Bakhtin's theory of polyphony, and point out that the novel presents a true picture of the chaotic American South in the early 20th century, mirroring the author's ambivalent thought and his humanitarian stand.This thesis consists of six parts: Introduction, Chapter One (Faulkner and the Polyphonic Novel), Chapter Two (Dialogism in Light in August), Chapter Three (Theme Plurality), Chapter Four (An Open Text) and Conclusion.The introduction begins with a summary of the novel, followed by a brief review of the research on it both at home and abroad. Then the thesis renders the reason for choosing the topic and the approach of study to be adopted.Chapter One demonstrates that the polyphonic novel is a perfect artistic expression of Faulkner's time and worldview. Humanitarianism is the root of Faulkner's ambivalent thought, and also, the pith and marrow of Bakhtin's theory, contained in the artistic form of the polyphonic novel. As a humanitarian, Faulkner regards the various conflicts as independent forces existing simultaneously in the society. His dialogic, pluralistic and open fictional world reflects the complicated modern society.Chapter Two explores the dialogism in the Light in August. Through an analysis of the novel's contrapuntal structure and the speech and interior mono log of some figures of division, the thesis interprets the work from two respects: the great dialogue and the microdialogue.Chapter Three calls attention to the plurality in the themes of the novel. The novel exhibits contradictory views on Black issues and individual-community relations. The reader cannot find a thematic unity. This shows that Faulkner takes a new authorial stand toward his characters; the hero is not the mouthpiece for the author's voice. The novel contains various fully valid voices, which results in the plurality in the themes.Chapter Four discusses the openness of the text of Light in August. Faulkner deliberately leaves some questionable points in the novel, which causes the novel's indeterminacy. Besides, the anti-conventional ending makes Light in August look like an unfinished work. This kind of indeterminacy and open-endedness makes it possible for the reader to interpret the novel in infinite ways. Thus Light in August is a text of openness.The last part summarizes the polyphonic features in Light in August, and points out that the dialogism, plurality and openness do not exist independently, but mingle with one another, permeating the whole work. Based on the principle of humanitarianism, Faulkner carries out in Light in August the dialogue between characters, the dialogue within characters, the dialogue between the author and the character and the dialogue between the author and the reader. The polyphonic features endow Light in August with eternal vitality.