Away From Racism, Back To Humanity

Light in August is one of William Faulkner's greatest novels. Narrating the histories of several families, the novel condemns racism and praises the humane virtues, including courage, honor, hope, pride compassion, pity and sacrifice.Through close reading, the writer of this thesis attempts to interpret the novel in a way that explains the tragedy that befalls Joe Christmas and Joanna Burden and reveals the deep-rooted cause of the tragedy as William Faulkner develops a possible path to happiness for the modern men. The novel not only depicts human situation through the veils of racism and Calvinism, but also enquires into the very existence of humanity. With the keen sense of a great writer, William Faulkner explores man's existence and the consequent tragedy and alienation that man is destined to suffer. Human beings suffer not only from racism and extreme Puritanism but also from the human condition, including the historical and social conditions under which they live and from which they cannot escape.This thesis approaches the novel from four perspectives. The first chapter deals with the growth of the main characters—Joe Christmas and Joanna Burden—in the light of religion to show how religion imposes endless trauma on humans. The second chapter analyzes the characters through the veil of racism to show how it poisons human's head and heart and victimizes blacks and whites as well. The third chapter makes a study on the characters in the light of the theme of past, depicting how the inescapable burden—human being's past -hindered the healthy development of humanity. Finally the fourth chapter analyzes the relationship between the characters and the community to explore how the invisible but lingering power of a community influences its members. Through the analysis it is easier for the reader to detect how religious fanaticism, racism, the past and the community hinder the full and healthy development of individuals.Examining the main characters' miserable life and their tragic deaths in the thematic approach, the writer attempts to make Faulkner's rejection of racism and religious fanaticism more clear, as does the lesson that Faulkner teaches to all of his readers. Only with the guidance of the light of humanity can people find happiness.