An Interpretation Of Light In August From The Perspective Of Existentialism

William Faulkner(1897-1962)won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949 for his literary contribution.He is one of the most prominent American novelists in the 20 th century and a pioneer in American Southern literature.Faulkner wrote a number of classic literary masterpieces in his life,of which Light in August has a very high literary and artistic value.The novel has been well received since its publication.The novel shows the heavy historical picture of the South American society in the period of new and old.The author gives us a deep description of the complex relations of characters,sharp racial conflicts and extreme Puritanism in the novel,and expresses his profound concern about the state of existence of people in the South of the United States.This coincides with the existentialism.This thesis is based on Sartre's existentialist philosophy as the theoretical basis.By analyzing the absurdity of the characters in the novel and their free choices and responsibilities in this absurd world,and Sartre's existentialist view of death,the thesis explores the existentialist tendency of the novel.In addition to the introduction and conclusion,this thesis includes three chapters.The first chapter analyzes the absurdity embodied in the novel.The thesis discusses the absurd world under the racial discrimination,extreme Puritanism and gender discrimination.The mankind faces the absurdity and heartlessness in a cold world.Faulkner reveals that the world is absurd,human life is absurd and the existence itself seems pointless.The second chapter mainly studies the freedom of choice and responsibility of the characters in the absurd world.Existentialism holds that free choice and responsibility are inextricably linked and inseparable.Once a person makes a choice in a certain situation,he must take the corresponding responsibility for the action,that is,to himself,to others and to the world.The third chapter explores the embodiment of Existentialist death in this work.Existentialism holds that the death of human being is absurd and accidental.By analyzing the deathof Joanna Burton and the death of Joe Christmas,the theme of this works is revealed:one should not place too much emphasis on the hardships and malpractices of life,but emphasize on the life attitude and choice.Joe's tragedy and rebirth have always given hope to those in despair.Faulkner's works not only has universal humane care,but also contains a wealth of philosophical thinking.By analyzing the absurdity,free choice and death in the novel by combining existentialist theory,the thesis draws an existentialist tendency of the text.This article not only helps to have a more complete understanding and evaluation of Light in August,but also helps to understand Faulkner's ultimate understanding of the conditions of life and the existence of human beings.