A Study on the father and sons' relationship in William Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom!

Susilo, Tinny Mayliasari (1998) A Study on the father and sons' relationship in William Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom! Bachelor thesis, Petra Christian University.

Abstract

In Absalom, Absalom!, one of his masterpiece, Faulkner describes the father and sons? relationship in the South, The thesis writer believes that the father and sons? relationship in the novel is unique since it reflects the cultural and social condition in the South in 1820s until 1920s, such as the problems of Southern racial prejudice and Southern male domination in the family. In this thesis, the writer wants to know how Thomas Sutpen?s ambition to build a white aristocracy family causes his conflicts with his two sons, Charles Bon and Henry Sutpen. In addition, she is also curious to know how the father and sons inharmonious relationship finally leads the two sons to their deaths. In doing this analysis she uses some literary criticisms and theories and also the social and historical background which are dealing with the fathers and sons? relationship in the Southern tradition. She also applies two literary devices, those are characterization and conflict as the tools to analyze the novel. The writer analyzes shows that Thomas Sutpen?s ambition to build a white aristocratic famiIy causes his conflicts with Charles Bon, his first 1/16 Negro blood son who he has neglected since his birth and Henry Sutpen, his second son who he hopes to be his successor. She also finds out that Thomas Sutpen?s past and experience greatly influence his relationship with Charles Bon and Henry Sutpen. Finally, the thesis writer concludes that Thomas Sutpen?s ambition finally leads his two sons to their deaths.

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