In the history of American literature there have been many great novels. To write a good novel there must be a great author who knows how to manipulate words and phrases to set a mood or feeling that lets the reader understand how the characters feel on a more personal level. These authors grab the attention of readers by expressing their thoughts through theme and style. Style gives an insight into the author's thoughts and how he/she wants the reader to interpret these thoughts. The theme of a novel lets the reader know how the author wants to portray these thoughts. Some authors styles and themes are similar while others vary tremendously. Great authors whose style and theme allowed people to understand who and what was being written are Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner. In a comparison of two great writers it will be shown how styles and themes parallel and differ while still telling stories.
             A writer often allows us to understand their feelings by creating their presence in a character of their story. William Cuthbert Faulkner (1897-1962) shows his feelings in the novel by using himself as the character Darl Bundren in the novel "As I Lay Dying." Ernest Miller Hemingway (1899-1961) also allows the reader to see the story from his view by essentially being the narrator. He writes himself as the main character, Frederic Henry, in the novel "A Farewell to Arms." This understanding of the feelings of the author lets the reader interpret the writer's style.
             Faulkner's style of writing is rich and deep. He allows his characters to be freely inventive. Each characters view is different. The youngsters of the story have a very poetic view of what has happened to their family. There is an almost flighty way about their narration. This form of writing allows the reader to develop different opinions of the actual story. The elders of the story each have traits that allow their vie...