Critique of William Faulkner's Nobel Prize Speech
Critique of William Faulkner's Nobel Prize SpeechIn 1949, William Faulkner, the writer from Oxford, Mississippi, was awarded the Nobel Prize. He was the first American author to receive this prestigious award since the start of World War II. The context of his acceptance speech is important. WW II has recently ended through the use of nuclear weapons, the cold war with the Soviet Union is underway, and there is rumbling about a war with Korea. Nuclear holocaust is a worldwide concern. He reveals his reason for optimism about the future of the human race. In his speech, Faulkner charges young writers to write about "the human heart in conflict." He suggests t
He reminds us that we do have a capacity for "compassion and sacrifice and endurance. He conveys to young scribes that they have an obligation to remind all of us that these virtues exist and that we must constantly reflect on them. Aren't we all reminded of our vulnerability when he speaks of "the last ding-dong of doom"? Aren't we all moved when he mentions the importance of "the old universal truths" of "love and honor and pity and pride and compassion and sacrifice?" Faulkner was successful in delivering his message. We must all stand behind the conviction of this Nobel Prize recipient, "I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He acknowledges the fear of nuclear disaster that is prevalent, when he asks, "When will I be blown up?". A less obvious purpose in this speech is to point out that we all have a role in outcome of our future. We must consider and reflect on the virtues that give us reason for optimism. Faulkner appeals to the emotions of the upcoming authors, as well as the rest of us, when he suggests that it is a "duty" and "privilege" to "help man endure" whatever challenges we might face. Faulkner uses loaded words to enlist the support of his audience. This is primarily an emotional appeal. However, Faulkner does combine emotion with logical reasoning, given the global psyche at the time. He points out that the hope of man is his "soul" that allows him to have concern for others. His plea that issues of "the heart in conflict" are the only topics worth writing about are overstated, but it does help to support his premise.
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Acceptance Essays
