William Faulkner: Race and Racism in the Man and His Works

ATTENTION!!!!!
A viewer in a comment below pointed out that I wrongly said that Ike McCaslin is a mixed race character. He is not. I should have done research or reread _Go Down, Moses_ before making this video. I relied on my memory and my memory was wrong. McCaslin remains celibate and insures his mixed race half siblings get their share of the plantation he inherited. He is not however a person of mixed race himself.

Thank you to chfitzpat .

This is my last video in my series on Faulkner and it was a tough one. Filmed it twice. Edited it to make it as short as possible. Still not sure I'm completely happy with the result.

[Cardenio]

Patronizing Racism--thank you for labeling it, Brian. I never knew how to describe or name it, but your description is absolutely accurate. As always, a great and educational video!

[AlexBlackReads]

I adore this series of yours. Absalom Absalom and Light in August are the two Faulkner books I own, so it was especially good to hear your thoughts in relation to both of those. When reading older works, I always try to keep in mind that even if the author (and/or the work) has flaws with regards to prejudice/social issues, it doesn't mean the work is without value.

[MarcNash]

I am so grateful to you for this series on Faulkner. You did a great job

[tillysshelf]

Really loved this discussion. I have not read much Faulkner - only Light In August, which I walked into as a British teenager with no knowledge of the politics of the American South - and the presentation of race in that is definitely not something that you can ignore. I really appreciate the distinction you made of Faulkner viewing himself as a progressive and therefore not as racist, because I think that's an issue that persists very heavily to this day.

[scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

I have so appreciated your thoughtful and analytical series on Faulkner. I wish I had picked up on your readalong plan in time to participate. I have just started a novel from Liberia for Africa in August and have a couple of book group must reads. It is tempting though as I know you and Al will have interesting things to say about the book.

[DarkBetweenPages]

Fantastic Brian. Fantastic! This is such a heavy heavy topic but if anyone could talk about it and bring it out into this community, with class...it’s you!

I know I have told you this before and I mean it! You have such a way with words and it is incredibly inspiring.

Now I can go on and on with my comment when it comes to this and how well you discussed this. But that comment would be a beast!

[thebeautifullibra]

My daughter was just assigned one of his short stories by her 10th grade English class and the teacher started out reading using the N word. My daughter called me highly upset. I am here today to understand who this man is and try to understand how should approach this topic to the teacher but I just feel like I need to say something. I feel like this is too much for these kids in high school.

[Ramseyreadsandreviews]

I enjoyed your breakdown of this Brian.

[georgeliverpudlio]

This is a stunningly informed and quite brilliant analysis

[seriela]

Can't wait to read along with you next month. I'll look for the book.

[carolfitzpatrick]

CF--Please check Faulkner's The Bear. It tells the story of the McCaslin family. Go Down, Moses was Faulkner's response in short stories to race in the South.

[alldbooks]

Excellent discussion, Brian, especially the bit about patronizing racism at the end. Looking forward to getting to the rest in the series and starting A Light in August this weekend.

[ianp]

That was really interesting and I can't really argue with you as I haven't read anything like as much Faulkner as you. I would be interested to know how he compares with other southern white mid 20th century authors as I feel it is quite remarkable that, considering when he was writing them, some of his key characters are African Americans that are fully realised on the page. To draw attention to the situation then that situation has to be truthfully realised too. It is many years since I read them but I always thought Intruder in the Dust was a powerful story that rang wholly true whereas the similar To Kill a Mockingbird, while having some wonderful characters, feels like a slightly sentimental rewrite of Faulkner's story.

[philsphan]

This is very late following your publishing this video. You say Isaac McCaslin was mixed race? How? His mother was the sister of a local slaveowner and his dad is one of the twins.

Ike does get married but his wife refuses to sleep with him after his wedding night. I forget why.

[acruelreadersthesis]

Very interesting! These videos are making me more eager to start reading Go Down, Moses. Maybe this year, but definitely next year. Very good points re: subtle racism. It's a type of racism that I think few people are aware of.

[SupposedlyFun]

Very interesting idea for a video—well done!

[LauraFreyReadinginBed]

Can a book "be" racist in the same way a person can? I like what you said at the end, with a book, it depends on the individual reader's interpretation (I think that's that your saying). Whereas people show their beliefs and values through speech and actions. Ive only read As I Lay Dying, but look forward to reading more.

[angelacraw]

Great video. I think with so many books to read I'll give this author a miss.

[francescoandricciola]

You're basically profiling him like you are a

[bighardbooks]

I find it very interesting that nine peeps took the time to 👎 this (yet failed to show & tell their reasons why) ... f'ing BookTube lame-o's ...