Topics for Further Study
Recall a story often recounted within your family, particularly by the elder members. Write three distinct versions of this story as narrated by three very different family members.
Faulkner passed away in 1962, just as the civil rights movement was gaining traction. Evaluate the contemporary South and prepare a speech or essay outlining what you believe Faulkner's perspective would be on the outcomes of the civil rights movement.
Create a multimedia character analysis of either Thomas Sutpen or Rosa Coldfield from a psychological standpoint. To complete this project, you will need to conduct basic research on psychological theories related to personality and behavior.
Research the Irish poet William Butler Yeats. Prepare a comparative analysis of his connection to Ireland and Faulkner’s connection to the South. Be sure to explore how these relationships are reflected in their writings and pay particular attention to each writer’s efforts to create a mythology for his homeland.
Analyze the various mythic elements within the Sutpen story. How does Faulkner craft a mythical setting and characters? Look for allusions, themes, techniques, and other connections to myth. Present your findings in an essay.
Faulkner initially intended to title the book Dark House. Why would this have been an appropriate title, and how would it have changed your interpretation of the novel? Additionally, consider why Absalom, Absalom! is a fitting title. Review the biblical story of Absalom’s death in Samuel 18:2 and its impact on David. Which of the two titles do you think is the better choice?
Some readers believe that Henry kills Charles because he cannot allow his sister to marry her own half-brother. Others argue that he kills Charles because he cannot allow his sister to marry a man with black ancestry. Hold a debate where one side supports the first motivation, and the other side supports the second. The most compelling arguments will come from the novel's plot, Henry’s character, and the cultural context of the story.
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