In his novel “Absalom, Absalom!” William Faulkner recounts the story of Thomas Sutpen, a pioneer who tries to establish his family dynasty in the Southern aristocratic plantation society in Mississippi. Thomas Sutpen rigorously pursues his design at all costs, not considering the possible consequences. This moral flaw in his character causes the downfall of his dynasty and the destruction of the whole family. At the end of the novel Sutpen’s Hundred, the decaying mansion Sutpen built to accomplish his design, is burned down, together with the last descendants of the family.
This tragic development of the story provokes the idea of poetic justice, where virtue is rewarded and vice is punished. But can such a sharp categorization really be applied on this complex novel?
In the following paper I will show whether the term poetic justice can be applied on “Absalom, Absalom!”. I will take a look at the elements which might support this assumption by considering the characters’ development and function in the novel in order to show if they support the idea of punishment or reward.
However, first of all I will take a closer look at the term poetic justice in general. I will give a definition, view its origins and examine its use in historical and recent context before applying it on Faulkner’s novel “Absalom, Absalom!”.
Table of Contents
Introduction
2. Poetic Justice: Definition and origins
3. Poetic Justice in “Absalom, Absalom!”
3.1. Thomas Sutpen
3.2. Rosa Coldfield
3.3. Sutpen’s children
3.3.1. Judith Sutpen
3.3.2. Henry Sutpen
3.3.3. Charles Bon
4. Conclusion
Objectives & Research Themes
The academic paper investigates whether the literary principle of "poetic justice"—where virtue is rewarded and vice is punished—can be validly applied to William Faulkner's novel "Absalom, Absalom!". It explores the complex moral development of the central characters to determine if the narrative structure adheres to or subverts traditional notions of retributive justice.
- Theoretical exploration of the origins and evolution of the concept of poetic justice.
- Analysis of the moral failures and downfall of Thomas Sutpen.
- Evaluation of character development as a function of societal influence and moral choice.
- Discussion of the role of narrative perspective and imagination in interpreting character motivations.
- Thematic reflection on the South’s history and the inevitable collapse of its aristocratic ideals.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Thomas Sutpen
At the beginning of the novel, when the story is told from Rosa Coldfield’s point of view, it seems that Thomas Sutpen perfectly fits into the category of the classical “baddie”. Presented as a rather flat character, Rosa Coldfield describes him as a demon, as a figure who “rode into town out of nowhere with a horse and two pistols and a herd of wild beasts” and who erected a huge plantation which was “called Sutpen’s Hundred as if it had been a King’s grant in unbroken perpetuity from his great grandfather” (Faulkner 10). This man who seemed to have no past at all or at least a dark one brought disaster on his fellows by “creating two children not only to destroy one another and his own line but Rosa Coldfield’s line as well” (Faulkner 12).
However, in the course of the novel this one- sided presentation of Thomas Sutpen is supplemented by Mr Compson’s and Quentin’s point of view. Thus, the character of Thomas Sutpen turns from a rather flat character into a quiet complex one and therefore can’t easily be categorized anymore. Nevertheless, the idea of punishment of vice concerning Thomas Sutpen does occur in the novel and I will now present the aspects that support this idea.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter introduces Thomas Sutpen’s ambition to build a family dynasty and establishes the central research question regarding the applicability of poetic justice to the novel.
2. Poetic Justice: Definition and origins: This section traces the historical development of the concept of poetic justice from ancient philosophy through its usage in the seventeenth century up to modern literary criticism.
3. Poetic Justice in “Absalom, Absalom!”: This chapter examines the novel’s characters to test whether their trajectories align with the principles of reward for virtue and punishment for vice.
3.1. Thomas Sutpen: The analysis focuses on Sutpen’s ruthless design and his moral failings, discussing whether his tragic downfall constitutes a form of poetic justice.
3.2. Rosa Coldfield: This section explores Rosa’s obsession with the past and her resentment toward Sutpen, evaluating whether her lonely life serves as a punishment for her vice.
3.3. Sutpen’s children: This part analyzes how each of Sutpen’s children grapples with inherited guilt and racial prejudice, leading to their eventual ruin.
3.3.1. Judith Sutpen: The text discusses Judith’s attempts to atone for her father's crimes and her inability to fully escape the racial constraints of her upbringing.
3.3.2. Henry Sutpen: This section investigates Henry’s struggle with conscience and his ultimate act of fratricide driven by his adherence to the racist values of the South.
3.3.3. Charles Bon: This chapter analyzes Charles’s search for recognition and his retaliatory actions against the Sutpen family, examining his death as a potential act of justice.
4. Conclusion: The summary concludes that due to the complexity of the characters and the subjective nature of the narration, the rigid concept of poetic justice cannot be applied to the novel.
Keywords
Poetic Justice, William Faulkner, Absalom Absalom, Thomas Sutpen, Literary Criticism, Southern Literature, Moral Philosophy, Narrative Perspective, Racial Prejudice, Tragedy, Dynasty, Character Analysis, Virtue and Vice, Retribution, Human Design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines whether the traditional literary concept of "poetic justice"—the idea that virtue is rewarded and vice is punished—is a suitable framework for interpreting William Faulkner's novel "Absalom, Absalom!".
Which theoretical concept is analyzed in the context of the novel?
The study analyzes the concept of "poetic justice," tracing its origins from ancient philosophy and seventeenth-century critics like Thomas Rhymer to its application in literature.
What is the central research question?
The research asks whether the complex characters and tragic events in "Absalom, Absalom!" can be neatly categorized using the moral binary of poetic justice, or if they resist such simple classification.
What research methodology is employed?
The paper employs a literary analysis method, examining character development, narrative viewpoints, and thematic elements to evaluate if they support the notion of punishment or reward.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body investigates the characters of Thomas Sutpen, Rosa Coldfield, and the Sutpen children, analyzing their motivations, moral failures, and ultimate fates in relation to the theme of justice.
Which keywords best describe this research?
The core keywords include Poetic Justice, William Faulkner, Absalom Absalom, moral philosophy, Southern literature, and character analysis.
Does the author conclude that poetic justice exists in the novel?
The author concludes that the concept cannot be strictly applied because the characters are too complex, and the narrative structure relies on subjective viewpoints that blur the lines between "good" and "evil."
How does the author interpret the role of the narrative voice in this analysis?
The author argues that the constant shifts in perspective and the use of imagination to fill in narrative gaps make it difficult to definitively judge the characters, thereby complicating the application of poetic justice.
What significance does the character of Thomas Sutpen hold in this debate?
Thomas Sutpen is seen as both a "baddie" whose greed leads to disaster and as a product of a social system that he neither created nor fully understood, which challenges the idea of assigning him simple blame.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Manuela Gertz (Autor:in), 2010, Poetic Justice in William Faulkner's "Absalom Absalom", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/153908
