William William FaulknerFaulkner

““Old Colonel”Old Colonel” Born on September 25, 1897, in Born on September 25, 1897, in

New Albany, Mississippi, New Albany, Mississippi, First of four sons born to Murry First of four sons born to Murry

and Maud Butler Falkner. and Maud Butler Falkner. Named after his great-Named after his great-

grandfather, grandfather, William Clark Falkner, “Old , “Old Colonel,” who had been killed Colonel,” who had been killed eight years earlier in a duel with eight years earlier in a duel with his former business partner his former business partner

A lawyer, politician, planter, A lawyer, politician, planter, businessman, Civil War colonel, businessman, Civil War colonel, railroad financier, and finally a railroad financier, and finally a best-selling writer, even in best-selling writer, even in death, loomed as a larger-than-death, loomed as a larger-than-life model of personal and life model of personal and professional success for his professional success for his male descendants. male descendants.

Early Early LoveLove

Childhood sweetheart, Estelle Childhood sweetheart, Estelle Oldham Oldham (popular, vivacious girl)(popular, vivacious girl)

Dated other boys, one of whom was Dated other boys, one of whom was Cornell Franklin, an Ole Miss law Cornell Franklin, an Ole Miss law student who proposed marriage. student who proposed marriage. – She lightheartedly accepted, apparently She lightheartedly accepted, apparently

believing his request insincere. believing his request insincere.

– He sent her an engagement ring He sent her an engagement ring several several

months latermonths later Her parents thought Franklin would Her parents thought Franklin would

be a fine husband for their daughterbe a fine husband for their daughter– She and Franklin were married in Oxford She and Franklin were married in Oxford

on April 18, 1918. on April 18, 1918.

Falkner becomes Falkner becomes FaulknerFaulkner

Faulkner first took a job with the Winchester Faulkner first took a job with the Winchester Repeating Arms Company (where, for the first Repeating Arms Company (where, for the first time, his name was spelled “Faulkner” in time, his name was spelled “Faulkner” in employee records, possibly the result of a typing employee records, possibly the result of a typing error)error)

-Faulkner had tried to join the U.S. Army Air Force-Faulkner had tried to join the U.S. Army Air Force-turned down because of his height. -turned down because of his height.

He accepted an invitation to become a cadet in He accepted an invitation to become a cadet in training in the Royal Air Force in Canada.training in the Royal Air Force in Canada.– he lied about numerous facts, including his birth date he lied about numerous facts, including his birth date

and birthplace, in an attempt to pass himself as British.and birthplace, in an attempt to pass himself as British.

– spelled his name “Faulkner,” believing it spelled his name “Faulkner,” believing it looked more British, -with RAF officials he looked more British, -with RAF officials he affected a British accent. affected a British accent.

Soldier’s PaySoldier’s Pay The war ended. He received an The war ended. He received an

honorable discharge honorable discharge Bought an officer’s dress uniform Bought an officer’s dress uniform

and a set of wings for the breast and a set of wings for the breast pocketpocket

Though he had seen no combat in Though he had seen no combat in his wartime military service, upon his wartime military service, upon returning to Oxford in December returning to Oxford in December 1918, he allowed others to believe 1918, he allowed others to believe he had. He told many stories of his he had. He told many stories of his adventuresadventures– including injuries that had left him in including injuries that had left him in

constant pain and with a silver plate in constant pain and with a silver plate in his head. his head.

His brief service in the RAF would His brief service in the RAF would also serve him in his written fiction, also serve him in his written fiction, particularly in his first published particularly in his first published novel, novel, Soldiers’ Pay,Soldiers’ Pay, in 1926. in 1926.

University of MississippiUniversity of Mississippi In 1919 enrolled at the In 1919 enrolled at the University of Mississippi

under a special provision forunder a special provision for

war veterans, even though he hadwar veterans, even though he had

never graduated from high school. never graduated from high school. While a student at Ole Miss,While a student at Ole Miss,

he published poems and short he published poems and short

stories in the campus newspaper.stories in the campus newspaper.

After three semesters of study at After three semesters of study at

Ole Miss, he dropped out in November 1920. Over Ole Miss, he dropped out in November 1920. Over the next few years, Faulkner wrote reviews, the next few years, Faulkner wrote reviews, poems, and prose pieces.poems, and prose pieces.

Odd JobsOdd Jobs

Job in New York City as an assistant in a Job in New York City as an assistant in a bookstore bookstore

Most notorious job during this period was his Most notorious job during this period was his stint as postmaster in the university post stint as postmaster in the university post office office – he was a terrible postmaster, spending much of he was a terrible postmaster, spending much of

his time reading or playing cards with friends, his time reading or playing cards with friends, misplacing or losing mail, and failing to serve misplacing or losing mail, and failing to serve customers. customers.

During this period, he also served as a During this period, he also served as a scoutmaster for the Oxford Boy Scout troop, scoutmaster for the Oxford Boy Scout troop, but he was asked to resign for “moral but he was asked to resign for “moral reasons” (probably drinking). reasons” (probably drinking).

TravelTravelss In January 1925, Faulkner moved to New Orleans In January 1925, Faulkner moved to New Orleans

and fell in with a literary crowd and fell in with a literary crowd – Sherwood Anderson – Liked his study of small-Sherwood Anderson – Liked his study of small-

town life in his works (Like his Yoknapatawpha)town life in his works (Like his Yoknapatawpha) Faulkner published several essays and sketches Faulkner published several essays and sketches

in in The Double DealerThe Double Dealer and in the New Orleans and in the New Orleans Times-PicayuneTimes-Picayune

He wrote his first novel, He wrote his first novel, Soldiers’ Pay Soldiers’ Pay (Self-conscious tale about the lost generation)

Faulkner sailed from New OrleansFaulkner sailed from New Orleans to Europe, arriving in Italy onto Europe, arriving in Italy on August 2. August 2. The next several months livedThe next several months lived near Paris, Francenear Paris, France

Faulkner’s New Theme: The Faulkner’s New Theme: The American SouthAmerican South

Microcosm of universal themes of time, Microcosm of universal themes of time, the human heart, and the destruction of the human heart, and the destruction of the wilderness.the wilderness.

South was a nation unto itselfSouth was a nation unto itself– Strong sense of its noble pastStrong sense of its noble past– Array of myths by which it clung to its Array of myths by which it clung to its

pride, despite its humiliating defeat in the pride, despite its humiliating defeat in the Civil War and enforced acceptance of the Civil War and enforced acceptance of the distasteful values of an industrial North.distasteful values of an industrial North.

YOKNAPATAWHPHAYOKNAPATAWHPHA Faulkner considered some advice Anderson had given Faulkner considered some advice Anderson had given

him, that he should write about his native region. him, that he should write about his native region.

In doing so, he drew upon both regional geography In doing so, he drew upon both regional geography and family history (particularly his great-and family history (particularly his great-grandfather’s Civil War and post-war exploits) to grandfather’s Civil War and post-war exploits) to create “Yocona” County, later renamed create “Yocona” County, later renamed “Yoknapatawpha.” “Yoknapatawpha.”

““Beginning with Beginning with SartorisSartoris I discovered that my own I discovered that my own little postage stamp of native soil was worth writing little postage stamp of native soil was worth writing about and that I would never live long enough to about and that I would never live long enough to exhaust it, and by sublimating the actual into exhaust it, and by sublimating the actual into apocryphal I would have complete liberty to use apocryphal I would have complete liberty to use whatever talent I might have to its absolute top” (whatever talent I might have to its absolute top” (Lion Lion in the Gardenin the Garden 255). 255).

Faulkner’s Fictional Faulkner’s Fictional FamiliesFamilies

He described the South through fictional He described the South through fictional families who often reappear from novel to families who often reappear from novel to novel. novel.

““They resemble trees, attaining grandeur, They resemble trees, attaining grandeur, casting much shade, and then growing old casting much shade, and then growing old and dry, crumbling as the seedlings of and dry, crumbling as the seedlings of social change grow up around their fallen social change grow up around their fallen limbs and stumps.”limbs and stumps.”

Faulkner’s Fictional FamiliesFaulkner’s Fictional FamiliesSartoris familySartoris family

– AristocratsAristocrats– Resemble Faulkner’s own Resemble Faulkner’s own

ancestors ancestors – Colonel John Sartoris- Colonel John Sartoris-

patterned after Faulkner’s patterned after Faulkner’s great-grandfather who rose great-grandfather who rose from rural poverty to from rural poverty to command the Second command the Second Mississippi Regiment, built a Mississippi Regiment, built a railroad, wrote a best-selling railroad, wrote a best-selling novel, and was murdered on novel, and was murdered on the street.the street.

Faulkner’s Fictional FamiliesFaulkner’s Fictional Families

Compson Compson familyfamily– Incorporate some Incorporate some

characteristics of the characteristics of the author’s immediate author’s immediate familyfamily

– Centerpiece of his Centerpiece of his novel novel The Sound and The Sound and the Furythe Fury

Faulkner’s Fictional FamiliesFaulkner’s Fictional Families

Bundren familyBundren family– Poor white family Poor white family – As I Lay DyingAs I Lay Dying: Tells of the Bundren family’s : Tells of the Bundren family’s

efforts to bring the body of its matriarch, efforts to bring the body of its matriarch, Addie, back to the town of Jefferson for burialAddie, back to the town of Jefferson for burial

– These humble people are more enduring These humble people are more enduring than their social betters than their social betters

Faulkner’s Fictional FamiliesFaulkner’s Fictional Families

Snopes familySnopes family– Sprawling clan of Sprawling clan of

irresponsible, depraved, irresponsible, depraved, socially ambitious socially ambitious varmints who rise from varmints who rise from the dust and cheat their the dust and cheat their way to respectability way to respectability and wealth, destroying and wealth, destroying the old values of the old values of aristocracy and aristocracy and peasantry alikepeasantry alike

The The Sound Sound

and the and the FuryFury

A revolutionary novel in style and A revolutionary novel in style and content, it was divided into four content, it was divided into four discrete sections, the first three of discrete sections, the first three of which are told by brothers in a single which are told by brothers in a single family. family.

The first section is told by an idiot The first section is told by an idiot with no concept of time — his with no concept of time — his narrative slips easily back and forth in narrative slips easily back and forth in time with no warning to the reader time with no warning to the reader except for a usual brief shift to italic except for a usual brief shift to italic typeface.typeface.

Individually, each section is revealing Individually, each section is revealing both stylistically and as an exploration both stylistically and as an exploration of character; together, however, the of character; together, however, the four parts operate to reveal the slow four parts operate to reveal the slow demise of a once-prominent southern demise of a once-prominent southern family, which is demonstrated most family, which is demonstrated most explicitly in the gradual decline and explicitly in the gradual decline and disappearance of the brothers’ sister, disappearance of the brothers’ sister, Caddy Compson. Caddy Compson.

Taking his title from a soliloquy in Taking his title from a soliloquy in Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s MacbethMacbeth which refers which refers to life as “a tale told by an idiot,” to life as “a tale told by an idiot,” Faulkner called the novel Faulkner called the novel The Sound The Sound and the Furyand the Fury. .

FamilyFamily In April, Estelle Oldham had divorced Cornell In April, Estelle Oldham had divorced Cornell

Franklin, and in June she and Faulkner were Franklin, and in June she and Faulkner were married married

Estelle brought to the marriage two children, Estelle brought to the marriage two children, Malcolm and Victoria, and after a honeymoon Malcolm and Victoria, and after a honeymoon in Pascagoula, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, in Pascagoula, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, they lived in Oxford. they lived in Oxford.

Faulkner, now working nights at a powerFaulkner, now working nights at a power plant, wroteplant, wrote As I Lay DyingAs I Lay Dying, later claiming it , later claiming it

was a “tour de force” and that he had written was a “tour de force” and that he had written it “in six weeks, without changing a word.” it “in six weeks, without changing a word.”

As I Lay DyingAs I Lay Dying As I Lay DyingAs I Lay Dying is a masterfully is a masterfully

written successor to written successor to The Sound The Sound and the Furyand the Fury. .

the novel focuses on a family the novel focuses on a family and is told stream-of-conscious and is told stream-of-conscious style by different narrators, but style by different narrators, but rather than an aristocratic rather than an aristocratic family, the focus here is on family, the focus here is on lower-class farm laborers from lower-class farm laborers from southern Yoknapatawpha southern Yoknapatawpha County County

• the Bundrens, whose matriarch, Addie, has died and had asked to be buried in Jefferson, “a day’s hard ride away” to the north. • The journey to Jefferson is fraught with perils of fire and flood (from the rain-swollen Yoknapatawpha River) as well as the family members’ inner feelings of grief and loss. The novel would be published in October 1930.

Rowan OakRowan Oak He bought a decrepit antebellum house in Oxford, He bought a decrepit antebellum house in Oxford,

which plunged him further into debt but in which which plunged him further into debt but in which he would find comfort and pleasure for the rest of he would find comfort and pleasure for the rest of his life. his life.

Faulkner named the house “Rowan Oak,” after a Faulkner named the house “Rowan Oak,” after a Scottish legend alluding to the protective powers of Scottish legend alluding to the protective powers of wood from the rowan tree. wood from the rowan tree.

Faulkner saw the first national publication of a Faulkner saw the first national publication of a short story he had written, “A Rose for Emily,” short story he had written, “A Rose for Emily,”

Over the coming years, as sales of his novels Over the coming years, as sales of his novels sagged, he would write numerous short stories for sagged, he would write numerous short stories for publication, especially in the publication, especially in the Saturday Evening Saturday Evening PostPost, as a principal means of financial support. , as a principal means of financial support.

Alabama and Joe Alabama and Joe ChristmasChristmas

Estelle gave birth to a daughter, Alabama. The child, Estelle gave birth to a daughter, Alabama. The child, born prematurely, would live only a few days. born prematurely, would live only a few days.

Soon after Alabama’s death, Faulkner began writing a Soon after Alabama’s death, Faulkner began writing a novel tentatively titled novel tentatively titled Dark HouseDark House, which would , which would feature a man of uncertain racial lineage who, as an feature a man of uncertain racial lineage who, as an orphaned child, was named Joe Christmas. orphaned child, was named Joe Christmas.

In this, Faulkner’s first major exploration of race, he In this, Faulkner’s first major exploration of race, he examines the lives of outcasts in Yoknapatawpha examines the lives of outcasts in Yoknapatawpha CountyCounty

At the center of the novel is the orphan, the At the center of the novel is the orphan, the enigmatic Joe Christmas, who defies easy enigmatic Joe Christmas, who defies easy categorization into either race, white or black. The categorization into either race, white or black. The novel would be published as novel would be published as Light in AugustLight in August in in October 1932October 1932

Jill, Dean, and DeanJill, Dean, and Dean In June, Estelle gave birth to Faulkner’s only In June, Estelle gave birth to Faulkner’s only

surviving daughter, Jill. surviving daughter, Jill. in November, his brother Dean was killed in a in November, his brother Dean was killed in a

crash of the Waco which Faulkner had given him. crash of the Waco which Faulkner had given him. Married only a month before to Louise Hale, Dean Married only a month before to Louise Hale, Dean

would be survived by a daughter (to bewould be survived by a daughter (to be born in March 1936), who would be named born in March 1936), who would be named Dean after her father. Faulkner would Dean after her father. Faulkner would take complete responsibility for the take complete responsibility for the education of his niece. education of his niece.

The year 1932 would mark the beginning of a The year 1932 would mark the beginning of a new sometime profession for Faulkner, as new sometime profession for Faulkner, as screenwriter in Hollywood. screenwriter in Hollywood.

In April 1932, Faulkner signed a six-week In April 1932, Faulkner signed a six-week contract contract

what would be the first of many stints as what would be the first of many stints as screenwriter in Hollywood.screenwriter in Hollywood.

Faulkner returned to Oxford in August after the Faulkner returned to Oxford in August after the sudden death of his father. With the addition of sudden death of his father. With the addition of his mother to his growing number of his mother to his growing number of dependents, Faulkner needed money.dependents, Faulkner needed money.

He returned to Hollywood in October with his He returned to Hollywood in October with his mother and younger brother Dean, and sold mother and younger brother Dean, and sold Paramount the rights to film Paramount the rights to film Sanctuary.Sanctuary.

AlcoholismAlcoholism Back in Oxford in January 1936,Back in Oxford in January 1936, Faulkner spent what would be theFaulkner spent what would be the first of many stays at Wright’s Sanitarium, a first of many stays at Wright’s Sanitarium, a

nursing home facility in Byhalia, Mississippi, nursing home facility in Byhalia, Mississippi, where Faulkner would go to recover from where Faulkner would go to recover from his drinking binges. Not an alcoholic in a his drinking binges. Not an alcoholic in a clinical sense, Faulkner nevertheless would clinical sense, Faulkner nevertheless would sometimes go on extended drinking binges, sometimes go on extended drinking binges, oftentimes at the conclusion of a writing oftentimes at the conclusion of a writing project; on occasion, he would even plan project; on occasion, he would even plan when to begin and end such binges. when to begin and end such binges.

He agreed to meet in question-and-He agreed to meet in question-and-answer sessions with English classes answer sessions with English classes at the University of Mississippi, but he at the University of Mississippi, but he invited controversy when his candid invited controversy when his candid statement about Hemingway — “he statement about Hemingway — “he has no courage, has never climbed has no courage, has never climbed out on a limb ... has never used a out on a limb ... has never used a word where the reader might check word where the reader might check his usage by a dictionary” — was his usage by a dictionary” — was included in a press release about the included in a press release about the sessions. sessions.

Faulkner vs. Faulkner vs. HemingwayHemingway

When Hemingway read the remarks, he was hurt, moved even to write a letter answering the charge that he lacked “courage,” but when it grew too long, he asked a friend, Brigadier General C.T. Lanham to write and tell Faulkner only what he knew about Hemingway’s heroism as a war correspondent.

Faulkner vs. HemingwayFaulkner vs. Hemingway

Almost immediately, Faulkner replied, apologizing for the misunderstanding and pain caused by his remarks, explaining that it was a garbled, incomplete version of what he had said, but he defended his comment by saying that it referred only to Hemingway’s craftsmanship as a writer and told how he was judging the quality of writing on its degree of failures, that Hemingway was next to last because he didn’t have the courage to risk “bad taste, over-writing, dullness, etc.” He wrote Hemingway also, including a copy of the letter to Lanham, again apologizing and saying, “I hope it wont matter a damn to you. But if or whe[ne]ver it does, please accept another squirm from yours truly.”

Nobel PrizeNobel Prize In June 1950, Faulkner was In June 1950, Faulkner was

awarded the Howells Medal awarded the Howells Medal for distinguished work in for distinguished work in American fiction. American fiction.

Faulkner received word that Faulkner received word that the Swedish Academy had the Swedish Academy had voted to award him and voted to award him and Bertrand Russell as co-Bertrand Russell as co-recipients of the Nobel Prize recipients of the Nobel Prize for literature, Russell for for literature, Russell for 1950 and Faulkner for the 1950 and Faulkner for the previous year. previous year.

At first he refused to go to At first he refused to go to Stockholm to receive the Stockholm to receive the award, but pressured by the award, but pressured by the U.S. State Department, the U.S. State Department, the Swedish Ambassador to the Swedish Ambassador to the United States, and finally by United States, and finally by his own family, he agreed to his own family, he agreed to go. go.

Poor SpeakerPoor Speaker On December 10, he On December 10, he

delivered his acceptance delivered his acceptance speech to the academy in a speech to the academy in a voice so low and rapid that voice so low and rapid that few could make out what he few could make out what he was saying, but when his was saying, but when his words were published in the words were published in the newspaper the following day, newspaper the following day, it was recognized for its it was recognized for its brilliance; in later years, brilliance; in later years, Faulkner’s speech would be Faulkner’s speech would be lauded as the best speech lauded as the best speech ever given at a Nobel ever given at a Nobel ceremony. ceremony.

DeathDeath On June 17, Faulkner was again injured by a third fall from a On June 17, Faulkner was again injured by a third fall from a

horse. horse. In constant pain now, he signaled something was wrong In constant pain now, he signaled something was wrong

when he asked on July 5 to be taken to Wright’s Sanatarium when he asked on July 5 to be taken to Wright’s Sanatarium in Byhalia. Though he had been a patient there many times, in Byhalia. Though he had been a patient there many times, he had always been taken there before against his will. he had always been taken there before against his will.

Less than eight hours later, at about 1:30 a.m. on July 6, Less than eight hours later, at about 1:30 a.m. on July 6, 1962 — the Old Colonel’s birthday — his heart stopped, and 1962 — the Old Colonel’s birthday — his heart stopped, and though the doctor on duty applied external heart massage though the doctor on duty applied external heart massage for forty-five minutes, he could not resuscitate him. for forty-five minutes, he could not resuscitate him.

William Faulkner was dead of a heart attack at the age of William Faulkner was dead of a heart attack at the age of 64. 64.

He was buried on July 7 at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Oxford. He was buried on July 7 at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Oxford. ““Until he’s buried he belongs to the family. After that, he Until he’s buried he belongs to the family. After that, he

belongs to the world.” belongs to the world.”