William Faulkner

. . .
Faulkner uses repetition to a great extent in the second segment; he often repeats the words “endure” and “prevail” to make his point. Faulkner argues that it is a poet’s duty to write about the soul, and that “it is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of the past”. The overall tone of this piece is stirring; Faulkner uses diction that gives insight to his determination to revive fortitude in difficult times. The succeeding segment, however, is more inspiring; similar to a coach’s pep talk during half-time when the team is down by three.

Faulkner is affective because his combination of a powerful tone and many well-used rhetorical devices compliment his principal purpose for writing this speech; to urge other writers to get back in touch with the human spirit. Faulkner also uses metaphors such as “I decline to accept the end of man” to argue how essential the human spirit is. He refused to accept the notion that man will merely continue to survive in a time of hardship; Faulkner believed that man, with the aid of writers and poets, will triumph, just as man as been triumphing over adversity as long as history has been recorded. These truths-love, honor, compassion, pride, pity, sacrifice-are the truths of the human heart, and if a writer writes only of current events and forgets the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself he has failed his duty to society. He also repeats the word “and” six times in one sentence to emphasize how equally important each ideal discussed is. Writers support mankind by writing of “old universal truths” that never die, but continue to be passed from generation to generation. The opening segment of this speech has a down-to-earth and rather straightforward tone; images of a doctor discussing a virus and its cure with a patient are brought to mind. Faulkner uses many devices and a passionate tone to write a successful and effective speech.

William Faulkner hoped that his acceptance speech would awaken in other writers the urge to relearn the human spirit and, consequently, remind the public that tragedy and universal fear are not custom. Writers do not simply record the endeavors of man; they act as “the props, the pillars to help him endure”.

Common topics in this essay:
Heart Conflict, Peace Prize, William Faulkner, human spirit, human heart, human heart conflict, endure prevail, william faulkner, heart conflict, remind public, help endure,

Approximate Word count = 570
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Already a member? Click here