Light in August

Light in August is a book about the stories of three different people. The stories are of Lena Grove, Joe Christmas, and Reverend Gail Hightower. They were all linked in one way or another, even if they never met. Lena was a simple country girl. However, she was an orphan. But this was one thing she had in common with Joe. Joe Christmas was a cold and hostile person who was uncertain of racial identities. Reverend Gail Hightower was a very important part of this novel because he was the one who linked Lena and Joe together.

William Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi, on September 25, 1897. His first book published was The Marble Faun. Soon after, he wrote novels such as Sanctuary, The Hamlet, The Town,

and The Mansion. These novels explored the post Civil War Southern life. Some of his other novels included- The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, Absalom Absalom, and Intruder in the Dusk. During his life he also won the Pulitzer Prize. In 1949, Faulkner was awarded with the Prize for Literature. William then died on July 6, 1962 in Byhalia, Mississippi.

One antagonist working against Lena is the fact that she is pregnant. Society does not totally accept her for this reason. In chapter one the story

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I think Lena taking care of the other children had an impact on her having a child when she did. For example, right in the beginning of the novel, Lena tries hitching a ride to Jefferson and she manages getting there. The irony about it was that it was Doc Hines who wanted to do it. My name is

Christmas!"

I can see Joe?s point here. This could represent either responsibility or irresponsibility. When he was adopted by the McEacherns they tried telling him that was his new last name.

One protagonist in the novel was Joe Christmas. I don?t get to read many books that deal with teenage pregnancy and racial issues. Joe was a black guy trying to make it in the real world. She never stays in one place long enough to get to know the community.

One major antagonist in this novel is racial heritage. I thought Hightower would just do it because he was already willing to the

first time. In the beginning of the novel she was traveling because she was chasing after her lover. Besides the fact it was hard to follow, it had an overall interesting plot.

Approximate Word count = 986
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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