Spatial Form Of Light In August

Light in August is one of the most important works of William Faulkner. It occupies a very significant position in Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha saga. Negative critical responses to the novel generally cumulate around the"looseness"of plot and the seeming lack of unity in the handling of diverse themes. This thesis applies Joseph Frank's"spatial form"theory to the interpretation of Light in August. Spatial form refers to a nonlinear narrative structure which uses techniques such as juxtaposition, fragmentation, montage, flashbacks and multi-plots to decentralize elements of time within the text and to narrate events synchronically in a space.This thesis believes that Light in August does not unfold in a linear way—instead the three story strands in it develop simultaneously and their juxtaposition creates a spatial form for the novel. In Light in August, the most important place is Jefferson. The three primary characters stay there for different periods of time. Their stays have little overlap in time. The juxtaposition of the story strands enables the novel to narrate the events taking place at different times simultaneously. Such juxtaposition accentuates the differences between the story strands. Lena's constant serenity makes the violence of Christmas more disturbing and the change of Hightower more dramatic. The spatiality theory not only justifies the structural difficulty of the novel but also helps the reader navigate the unifying force. The thesis holds that the three story strands, though not adequately connected by narrative links, intertwine with each other thematically. The story of Lena is primarily concerned with sex; the story of Christmas with religion and race; and the story of Hightower with time. The story strands are not confined to one theme. They also echo other thematic explorations. And thematic interplays between the strands construct a system of"reflexive reference,"which is the most significant unifying force for the novel. The character can be fully understood only when comprehended with reference to other characters. The uniqueness of Light in August lies primarily in its seeming loose structure. The spatiality of the novel is a key to its interpretation.