The Challenge Confronting Reader-a Different World Presented By "Faulkner’s Kingdom"

As the representative writer of American Southern Renaissance, WilliamFaulkner is awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in1950. His Yoknapatawpha saganovels, is not just the microcosm of American South, but also vivid interpretation ofmodern people’s life predicament. Faulkner’s works mix a large number of culturalinformation of American South, depicting quite a few colorful paintings of its life.Firstly, with the theory of reception aesthetics, the thesis analyses the socialbackground and “horizon of expectation” of Faulkner’s reader. In the thesis, the groupof Faulkner’s reader refers to American young generation between two world wars.Secondly, the thesis discusses the decline of chivalry, distorted beliefs and the fall ofSouthern lady in his novels have blocked reader’s “horizon of expectation”. In thispaper, the analysis of Faulkner’s readers is carried out. Finally, the thesis exploresreader’s understanding of Faulkner after their “horizon of expectation” suffersblowing: Faulkner’s confidence in human nature and orientation of Faulkner’s worksin reader’s understanding. Sympathy of humankind that exists with Faulkner’s readerwill not fade away with the flowing of time. The dark side of human nature will nevershelter the shining side of human nature. Different groups have prejudices anddifferences, but struggle with each other will only make things more becomecomplicated, reconciliation is the only way out.