Poetic Justice in William Faulkner's 'Absalom Absalom'

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book Poetic Justice in William Faulkner's 'Absalom Absalom' by Manuela Gertz, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Manuela Gertz ISBN: 9783640660780
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: July 13, 2010
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Manuela Gertz
ISBN: 9783640660780
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: July 13, 2010
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2010 in the subject English - Literature, Works, grade: 2,5, University of Stuttgart, course: William Faulkner, language: English, abstract: 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!'.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2010 in the subject English - Literature, Works, grade: 2,5, University of Stuttgart, course: William Faulkner, language: English, abstract: 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!'.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book The Educating Function of Zitkala-Sa's Sioux Stories by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book Ryanair, the low fares airline by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book The portrayal of women in selected British newspapers by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book What`s your method Mr. Holmes? Deduction, dear Freud, deduction! by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book A Poetic Journey: 'The Emperor's Babe' in Search of Identity in Virtual Places of Ancient Londinium by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book Customer Relationship Management in the Airline Industry by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book Cultural Engineering - Beyond Cultural Relativism by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book Zur Entwicklung der Berufpädagogik im Nationalsozialismus by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book CRM and the Australian food retail industry by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book A critical analysis on the reasons of underdevelopment in Africa by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book For the Unemployed and the Aged - The Development of the Social Security Act In the Course of the Great Depression and Its Introduction During the New Deal by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book Elements of the Holy Grail Quest in David Lodge's 'Small World' by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book The changing nature of war and its impacts on International Humanitarian Law by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book Aspects of Americanization in 1920s and 1930s by Manuela Gertz
Cover of the book To what extent is the tragedy of the commons restricting option when dealing with a global ecological crisis? by Manuela Gertz
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy