Crime and Punishment in William Faulkner's "Light in August"

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• CHAPTER I The Conflict Between Collective and Individual Consciousness.
• CHAPTER II The Conflict between Consciousness and Subconsciousness

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This dissertation explores the concept of crime and punishment in William Faulkner's novel Light in August, focusing on the tension between individual desires and societal expectations. It analyzes how characters are ostracized for actions perceived as social crimes, even if not inherently criminal. The work draws on the theories of Sigmund Freud, Carl Gustav Jung, and Emile Durkheim to understand the complex interplay of consciousness, subconsciousness, and societal norms.

• The conflict between individual and collective consciousness.
• The struggle between conscious and unconscious desires.
• The complexities of defining crime and punishment in a societal context.
• The limitations of societal structures in reconciling individual freedom and societal rules.
• The inherent mystery of human nature and its potential for both good and evil.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter I, "The Conflict Between Collective and Individual Consciousness," delves into the definitions of collective and individual consciousness as presented by Emile Durkheim. The chapter then examines how these concepts are portrayed in Light in August, highlighting the societal pressures and expectations that influence individual choices and behaviors.

Chapter II, "The Conflict between Consciousness and Subconsciousness," explores the struggle within individuals between their conscious thoughts and actions and their unconscious desires and impulses. It utilizes the theories of Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung to analyze how these internal conflicts play out in the novel and contribute to the characters' struggles with societal norms and expectations.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary keywords and focus topics of this dissertation include: Light in August, William Faulkner, crime, punishment, individual consciousness, collective consciousness, subconsciousness, societal norms, psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, Carl Gustav Jung, Emile Durkheim, American society, human nature, moral standards.