Race as Identity in William Faulkner's "Light in August"

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

2 Social Construction Of Race

3 Race in Faulkner's Fiction

3.1 Central Motifs

3.2 Faulkner's Black Characters

4 Historic Background: Jim Crow Era

4.1 Establishing Slavery

4.2 From the Abolishment of Slavery to Racial Segregation

5 In Search for a Self: Joe Christmas' Identity Crisis

5.1 Racial Ambiguity

5.2 Joe Christmas' Gender: Confusion and Irritation

6 Conclusion

7 Works Cited

Research Objective and Core Themes

This bachelor thesis examines the social construction of race and its role in constituting identity within William Faulkner's novel Light in August, specifically focusing on the protagonist Joe Christmas amidst the historical context of the Jim Crow Era.

• The social construction of race as a tool for discrimination and categorization.
• Faulkner’s portrayal of racial identity and the instability of binary racial categories.
• The historical impact of the Jim Crow Era on systemic oppression and social behavior.
• Joe Christmas’ profound identity crisis resulting from internal and external racial ambiguities.
• The intersection of race and gender in shaping individual behavior and societal perceptions.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 Introduction: Introduces the thematic importance of race in Light in August and outlines the analytical approach regarding the social construction of identity and historical context.

2 Social Construction Of Race: Explores theoretical perspectives, primarily those of W.E. DuBois and Anthony Appiah, to argue that race is an artificial societal construct rather than a biological reality.

3 Race in Faulkner's Fiction: Analyzes Faulkner's broader body of work to illustrate his critique of absolute racial categories and the role of language in perpetuating racial hierarchies.

4 Historic Background: Jim Crow Era: Provides a historical overview of how systemic racism and segregation were institutionalized in the American South, setting the stage for the novel's oppressive environment.

5 In Search for a Self: Joe Christmas' Identity Crisis: Investigates the protagonist's struggle with his uncertain racial background and how this manifests in his erratic behavior, internal racism, and conflicted gender identity.

6 Conclusion: Synthesizes the finding that race functions as the primary determinant of identity in the novel and reaffirms the relevance of Faulkner’s work as a critique of continued racial injustice.

Keywords

William Faulkner, Light in August, Joe Christmas, social construction of race, identity crisis, Jim Crow Era, racial ambiguity, systemic racism, miscegenation, gender identity, Southern literature, racial segregation, W.E.B. DuBois, Anthony Appiah, American studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this thesis?

The work focuses on how the social construction of race defines individual identity, using William Faulkner’s Light in August as a case study to explore these dynamics.

Which central topics are discussed?

The thesis covers the social construction of race, Faulkner's literary treatment of racial polarities, the historical realities of the Jim Crow Era, and the intersection of racial and gender identities.

What is the main research question?

The paper asks how the concept of race constitutes identity for an individual when no clear racial affiliation exists, particularly in the context of the racial codes of the American South.

Which methodology is applied?

The author uses a qualitative literary analysis, incorporating sociological and historical frameworks, specifically referencing works by W.E. DuBois, Anthony Appiah, and various Faulkner scholars.

What does the main body cover?

It covers theoretical definitions of race, Faulkner’s depiction of race in his fiction, the historical evolution of Jim Crow laws, and a detailed analysis of Joe Christmas’ personal identity crisis.

Why are the selected keywords central to the work?

They represent the intersection of literary analysis, racial sociological theory, and the historical period essential to interpreting the novel's characters.

How does Joe Christmas' uncertainty regarding his race impact his behavior?

His lack of a clear racial identity causes profound psychological distress, leading him to display erratic behavior, internalize racist stereotypes, and struggle to find a place within either the white or black community.

Is Joe Christmas' violence towards women linked to his racial identity?

Yes, the thesis argues that his gender confusion and hostility toward women are interconnected with his overall identity crisis and his perception of himself as a social outcast within a racially segregated society.