The Grotesque World of Faulkner's Characters

In William Faulkner's literary universe, characters often transform into grotesque figures by clinging to their own warped perceptions of reality, inflicting them on the world around them with little regard for the consequences. Consider Abner Snopes in "Barn Burning" (Harper's Magazine, 1939), whose life revolves around an inflexible notion of personal honor. His inability to tolerate any affront to this honor drives him to torch the barns of landlords who, more often than not, are slighted by his own provocations. This vengeful cycle uproots his family repeatedly, culminating in the alienation of his son, Sarty, who cannot abide by his father's destructive code.

The Gothic Tale of Emily Grierson

Grotesque figures like these can birth Gothic tales. Faulkner's breakthrough story, "A Rose for Emily" (The Forum, 1930), unveils the tragic entrapment of Emily Grierson within the suffocating constraints of aristocratic femininity. Bound by family and societal expectations, she defies these shackles by clinging, quite literally, to her loved ones even in death. Her defiance takes a sinister turn as she resorts to murder, concealing her victim's lifeless body in her home for three decades until its grim discovery upon her own demise.

The Heartless Pursuit of Meaning

Among Faulkner's most grotesque are those who seem to embrace a callous pursuit of meaning. Abner's misguided care for his family stands in stark contrast to his son, Flem, who emerges as a product of the burgeoning mass culture, driven by a relentless quest for wealth. In "Lizards in Jamshyd's Courtyard" (The Saturday Evening Post, 1932; reimagined for The Hamlet, 1940), Flem embodies the shrewd trader, exploiting base human instincts like greed for his gain. Even as he amasses wealth, he remains curiously devoid of passion.

Faulknerian Heroes: A Balance of Virtues

Faulkner's heroes navigate life by balancing essential human virtues without becoming subservient to one alone. Sarty Snopes, torn between love for his father and moral integrity, chooses to break free from Abner's corrosive sense of honor. Another emblematic figure is V. K. Suratt, later known as V. K. Ratliff, a sewing machine salesman whose humor and perspective make him a recurring hero in Faulkner's tales.

In "Lizards in Jamshyd's Courtyard," Suratt emerges as a key adversary to Flem, distinguished by his witty humor. His ability to laugh at his own follies, even in moments of absurdity, elevates him above Flem. Despite being duped into investing all he has in a barren plot of land under the illusion of hidden gold, Suratt's return to humor and sanity rescues him from the fate of his misguided partner, who continues to dig in vain.

The Recurring Figures in Faulkner's Narrative

Faulkner's tapestry of characters includes notable figures like Suratt/Ratliff, Flem Snopes, and Gavin Stevens, who populate both his short stories and novels. Stevens stands out as a central character in at least four novels and many stories, particularly those compiled in Knight's Gambit. As the Yoknapatawpha County Attorney, Stevens plays the role of a detective, showcasing his Southern intellectual persona, honed at Harvard and Heidelberg, in the town of Jefferson. In "An Error in Chemistry" (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, 1946), Stevens' keen observation skills, alongside the Sheriff, unmask an impostor through a simple yet telling mistake in drink preparation.