Light In August - Mysogyny

Faulkner’s Women Long have women in classic literature been portrayed as weak and submissive male playthings who lead futile and meaningless lives. William Faulkner’s Light In August, the story of an abandoned child plagued by sexuality and women, overflows with female characters who aid the reader in delving into both this traditional view of women, and Faulkner’s own personal views. Laden with these women, who play the role of stepmothers, grandmothers, and …

…be used for mothering, sex, and service. Faulkner relegates them to the kitchen or on their backs, for they can serve no other purpose in life. Although these accusations may be harsh, through the textual analysis of this book, one can conclude that Faulkner is a misogynist. Although today’s works of literature, and society in general, have come to give more positive characteristics to women, far too many examples of sexism and misogyny exist.