The Unvanquished by William Faulkner deals with events that took place during the 1890s in Mississippi. However, many of the issues he deals with transcend the confines of his novel. Faulkner writes on many universal matters, but the major universal matter of the novel was Bayard's change from an innocent child into a mature adult.
             In "Ambuscade" twelve-year-old Bayard still plays childish games of war with no consequences. Later, Bayard shoots at a Yankee and does not realize the seriousness of this act. He quickly runs back to the house and cries to his Granny, "We killed him, Granny! At the gate. Only there was the whole army too and we never saw them and they are coming"(27). The way he proudly admits his wrong doing show he really didn't know the seriousness of his action. Finally, Bayard's innocence shows in his color-blind acceptance of his playmate, Ringo. Bayard's thought of "Even though Ringo was a nigger too, because Ringo and I had been born in the same month and had both fed on the same breast and had slept together and eaten together for so long that Ringo called Granny 'Granny' just like I did" implies his innocence and immaturity (22). Bayard's actions in the beginning of the novel portray his universal childhood quality of innocence.
             In the third story "Raid," Bayard's grandma meets a general who gives her mules because of her fraudulent. She starts a business of "trading" and "borrowing" mules. Bayard matures by taking on more and more responsibility of helping with his granny's "business". At the same time he does fewer childish acts. After Granny's death he assumes the responsibility of avenging her death. To take on a responsibility like that calls for strong maturity and courage. A well-known code of honor states no gentlemen would ever harm a woman or child. If a woman or child is kille...