Faulkner's characters frequently have a strong connection to the land. For example, in his Yoknapatawpha County stories, characters' identities are intertwined with the southern land. They are shaped by the traditions and the environment there. They can be proud, like some of the old southern families, but also burdened by the decaying social structure. These characters show a wide range of emotions and moral contradictions, which makes them very vivid and real.
Well, his characters tend to be multi - faceted. They can be both noble and flawed at the same time. Take Joe Christmas from 'Light in August' for instance. His identity as a mixed - race person in a racially divided society causes him great internal turmoil. He has moments of kindness and humanity, but also makes some rather cruel and self - destructive choices. This complexity is a hallmark of Faulkner's character creation.
Many characters in Faulkner's novels are complex. They often struggle with their past, like Quentin in 'The Sound and the Fury'. He is haunted by the family's history and his own sense of guilt.
The top Faulkner novels often have complex narratives. For example, 'The Sound and the Fury' jumps between different time periods and perspectives. They also deal with deep - seated southern themes like race and family. In 'Absalom, Absalom!', the exploration of family history and race relations is central. And they tend to have a rich use of language, as seen in 'As I Lay Dying' where the characters' voices are vividly portrayed.
Well, one characteristic is the complex narrative structure. For example, in 'The Sound and the Fury', Faulkner uses different narrators and time - frames which can be confusing at first but add depth. Another is his exploration of the southern American experience, like in 'As I Lay Dying' where the rural southern setting and the values of the people are central.
One common theme is the past haunting the present. In Faulkner's ghost stories, the ghosts often represent the unresolved issues of the past. For example, in some of his works, the ghosts are the remnants of a bygone era of slavery or family secrets that refuse to stay buried. Another theme could be the blurring of reality and the supernatural. Faulkner likes to play with the idea that the line between what is real and what is a ghostly apparition is not always clear. This can create a sense of unease and mystery in his stories.
One characteristic is his complex use of narrative. Faulkner often uses multiple narrators in his short stories. This gives different perspectives on the events, making the stories rich and multi - layered. For example, in some of his works, we can see how different characters' views of the same situation can be vastly different, which adds to the depth of the story.
In Faulkner's works, a corrupt southern family typically shows a breakdown of traditional values. They might be obsessed with wealth and power at the expense of integrity. Also, there could be deep-seated secrets and hidden vices within the family structure.
Some of Faulkner's best novels include 'The Sound and the Fury'. It's a complex and innovative work that delves deep into the decline of a southern family through different narrators' perspectives. Another great one is 'As I Lay Dying', which tells the story of a family's journey to bury their mother. 'Absalom, Absalom!' is also highly regarded, exploring themes of race, family, and history in the South.
One common theme is the loss of innocence. The war strips the characters of their naivete.
Well, in Faulkner short stories, the theme of family is really prominent. There are dysfunctional families, full of secrets, rivalries and power struggles. Also, the theme of identity is there. Characters are often searching for who they are in the context of their family history and the changing South. And death is another theme. It's not just physical death but also the death of ideals and ways of life in the South.
Isolation is a common theme. His characters are frequently isolated in some way, whether it's physical isolation in a small town or emotional isolation within their families. This isolation often leads to self - discovery or self - destruction, as they grapple with their own identities and the constraints of their society.
Well, 'The Sound and the Fury' is surely one of his top novels. It's famous for its stream - of - consciousness technique. Then there's 'Light in August', which deals with themes like race, identity, and religion in the South. And don't forget 'Go Down, Moses', which is a collection of stories that are interconnected and offer a great look into Faulkner's view of the South.