The Reivers Essay Example
"The Test of Morality"
Throughout American Literature we often see in the works of writers, how the character are torn between doing what is right and doing what is wrong. Like the transcendentalist who believed that experience was valuable way of learning, we also see in the works of William Faulkner's The Reivers as well as in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "My Kinsman, Major Molineux," we see elements of this belief. In my paper I will discuss the major themes of The Reivers and My Kinsman, Major Molineux." I will also show how the main characters in each will use their free will overcome their conflict of doing right or wrong and and discuss how they are similar and how they differ. William Faulkner's The Reivers is a story of a young boy, Lucius, who has a clear understanding between right and wrong, goes on an adventure with two men who work for his family. On the adventure Lucius is confronted with obstacles dealing with gambling, drinking, prostitution, horse-racing, political corruption, and rowdiness. As he tries to navigate his journey of morality he is confronted with many challenges.
Lucius Priest explains to his grandson how he grew up and how he became a man. In 1905, when he was eleven, he willingly went on an escapade from his home in Jefferson to Memphis with Boon Hogganbeck and a Negro, Ned McCaslin, who were both employed his family's stable. Boon has plans to visit his girlfriend, Corrie Everbe, who is a prostitute at Miss Reba's brothel min the city. To justify his borrowing Lucius's grandfathers car, he take takes Lucius along for the ride. Soon after their arrival Ned trades the car in for a "borrowed" race horse to race in efforts to help a relative pay off gambling debts. We also learn the adventurers become stuck at Hell Creek in a series of mud holes that were intentionally plowed by a local entrepreneur to make sure that his mule services were needed in order for them to continuing the journey. In
Throughout American Literature we often see in the works of writers, how the character are torn between doing what is right and doing what is wrong. Like the transcendentalist who believed that experience was valuable way of learning, we also see in the works of William Faulkner's The Reivers as well as in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "My Kinsman, Major Molineux," we see elements of this belief. In my paper I will discuss the major themes of The Reivers and My Kinsman, Major Molineux." I will also show how the main characters in each will use their free will overcome their conflict of doing right or wrong and and discuss how they are similar and how they differ. William Faulkner's The Reivers is a story of a young boy, Lucius, who has a clear understanding between right and wrong, goes on an adventure with two men who work for his family. On the adventure Lucius is confronted with obstacles dealing with gambling, drinking, prostitution, horse-racing, political corruption, and rowdiness. As he tries to navigate his journey of morality he is confronted with many challenges.
Lucius Priest explains to his grandson how he grew up and how he became a man. In 1905, when he was eleven, he willingly went on an escapade from his home in Jefferson to Memphis with Boon Hogganbeck and a Negro, Ned McCaslin, who were both employed his family's stable. Boon has plans to visit his girlfriend, Corrie Everbe, who is a prostitute at Miss Reba's brothel min the city. To justify his borrowing Lucius's grandfathers car, he take takes Lucius along for the ride. Soon after their arrival Ned trades the car in for a "borrowed" race horse to race in efforts to help a relative pay off gambling debts. We also learn the adventurers become stuck at Hell Creek in a series of mud holes that were intentionally plowed by a local entrepreneur to make sure that his mule services were needed in order for them to continuing the journey. In