On the Prejudices, Predilections, and Firm Beliefs of William Faulkner

by Cleanth Brooks

Essays discuss Faulkner's values, characters, religious views, outlook on history, supporters, and critical reception

Genres: Literary Criticism

162 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1987

Reviews

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book of essays written from 1971 to 1985, and are intended to supplement Brooks' "William Faulkner: The Yoknapatawpha Country." A couple of the essays address Faulkner's values and his attitude toward orthodox Christianity; another explores his connection to the Agrarians. My two favorite essays are "Gavin Stevens and the Chivalric Tradition" and "Faulkner's Women: Light in August and The Hamlet." The essays are very well written, and anything by Brooks is a joy to read. What I think is most attractive is that Brooks examines Faulkner's works as they stand, and in relation to the South and American society at large; he doesn't try to impose any type of post-modern construct and he clearly addresses the questions he asks at the beginning of each essay. Brooks clearly shows the roots of Faulkner's ideas of courage, honor and community, and how Faulkner applied these ideas in his novels and short stories. This is an outstanding commentary for anyone reading Faulkner for the first time.