This paper seeks to explore the social construction of race and how race constitutes identity in "Light in August" by means of historic background. William Faulkner is one of the most popular and influential authors of the 20th century; not without reason has he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949. Setting most of his novels' plots in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County in Mississipi, he portrays life in the American South and the still lingering aftermaths of the lost Civil War, some of which are: Southern history, climate, geography, natural life, customs, traditions, ideologies, living conditions and speech patterns.
In "Light in August", race, like in many of Faulkner's works, is a basic theme. However, in "Light in August", belonging to a certain race is not only part of a person's identity; it is the central framework. Not only is race decisive of how fellow men and women encounter and treat a person but also how this person sees and perceives him- or herself. Hence, identity feeds from race. If there is no clear affiliation to a specific race, identity crisis and a constant search for self can arise as is the case with Joe Christmas in Faulkner's novel. It impacts how Christmas is approached from a very young age by those who know of his black background. Moreover, people change their behavior towards Christmas once they discover that he is partly of African-American origin. The biggest burden for Christmas, though, is how he himself cannot figure out who he is and where his place in Southern society is.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Social Construction Of Race
3 Race in Faulkner's Fiction
3.1 Central Motifs
3.2 Faulkner's Black Characters
4 Historic Background: Jim Crow Era
4.1 Establishing Slavery
4.2 From the Abolishment of Slavery to Racial Segregation
5 In Search for a Self: Joe Christmas' Identity Crisis
5.1 Racial Ambiguity
5.2 Joe Christmas' Gender: Confusion and Irritation
6 Conclusion
7 Works Cited
Research Objective and Core Themes
This bachelor thesis examines the social construction of race and its role in constituting identity within William Faulkner's novel Light in August, specifically focusing on the protagonist Joe Christmas amidst the historical context of the Jim Crow Era.
- The social construction of race as a tool for discrimination and categorization.
- Faulkner’s portrayal of racial identity and the instability of binary racial categories.
- The historical impact of the Jim Crow Era on systemic oppression and social behavior.
- Joe Christmas’ profound identity crisis resulting from internal and external racial ambiguities.
- The intersection of race and gender in shaping individual behavior and societal perceptions.
Excerpt from the Book
5.1 Racial Ambiguity
In Light in August, Joe Christmas never really knows himself and is therefore going through an identity crisis all his life. He is treated as an African-American man from a very early age on. Yet, the reader never gets distinct hints or clues as to whether Christmas is a black man indeed. Both can be seen in the passage about one of Christmas' earliest childhood memories: When he is a child of five years and catches the dietitian and her companion having sex in one of the orphanage's room at night. The whole incident is based on misunderstandings: Joe Christmas only goes to that room at night because he is fascinated by the toothpaste he has found in the dietitian's room before. When he hears someone approaching he hides behind the curtain: Here, the reader gets a description of the color of his skin: "He was watching the pink worn coil smooth and cool and slow onto his parchmentcoloured fingers when he heard footsteps in the corridor and then voices just beyond the door" (88). The color of parchment is not easy to describe. It is hard to draw conclusions to Christmas' race as parchment could be assigned to both white or black. Hence, the reader cannot be certain about whether Christmas is to be imagined as a black or white kid. This absence of a clear description of Christmas continues: His face is being described as "grave, sobereyed, perfectly empty of everything except waiting" (91).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the thematic importance of race in Light in August and outlines the analytical approach regarding the social construction of identity and historical context.
2 Social Construction Of Race: Explores theoretical perspectives, primarily those of W.E. DuBois and Anthony Appiah, to argue that race is an artificial societal construct rather than a biological reality.
3 Race in Faulkner's Fiction: Analyzes Faulkner's broader body of work to illustrate his critique of absolute racial categories and the role of language in perpetuating racial hierarchies.
4 Historic Background: Jim Crow Era: Provides a historical overview of how systemic racism and segregation were institutionalized in the American South, setting the stage for the novel's oppressive environment.
5 In Search for a Self: Joe Christmas' Identity Crisis: Investigates the protagonist's struggle with his uncertain racial background and how this manifests in his erratic behavior, internal racism, and conflicted gender identity.
6 Conclusion: Synthesizes the finding that race functions as the primary determinant of identity in the novel and reaffirms the relevance of Faulkner’s work as a critique of continued racial injustice.
Keywords
William Faulkner, Light in August, Joe Christmas, social construction of race, identity crisis, Jim Crow Era, racial ambiguity, systemic racism, miscegenation, gender identity, Southern literature, racial segregation, W.E.B. DuBois, Anthony Appiah, American studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The work focuses on how the social construction of race defines individual identity, using William Faulkner’s Light in August as a case study to explore these dynamics.
Which central topics are discussed?
The thesis covers the social construction of race, Faulkner's literary treatment of racial polarities, the historical realities of the Jim Crow Era, and the intersection of racial and gender identities.
What is the main research question?
The paper asks how the concept of race constitutes identity for an individual when no clear racial affiliation exists, particularly in the context of the racial codes of the American South.
Which methodology is applied?
The author uses a qualitative literary analysis, incorporating sociological and historical frameworks, specifically referencing works by W.E. DuBois, Anthony Appiah, and various Faulkner scholars.
What does the main body cover?
It covers theoretical definitions of race, Faulkner’s depiction of race in his fiction, the historical evolution of Jim Crow laws, and a detailed analysis of Joe Christmas’ personal identity crisis.
Why are the selected keywords central to the work?
They represent the intersection of literary analysis, racial sociological theory, and the historical period essential to interpreting the novel's characters.
How does Joe Christmas' uncertainty regarding his race impact his behavior?
His lack of a clear racial identity causes profound psychological distress, leading him to display erratic behavior, internalize racist stereotypes, and struggle to find a place within either the white or black community.
Is Joe Christmas' violence towards women linked to his racial identity?
Yes, the thesis argues that his gender confusion and hostility toward women are interconnected with his overall identity crisis and his perception of himself as a social outcast within a racially segregated society.
- Citation du texte
- Jonas Plesch (Auteur), 2018, Race as Identity in William Faulkner's "Light in August", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1298028
