The novel "Intruder in the Dust" was written by the American author William Faulkner. The story covers the topics of life in the South, racial injustice and the problems the South was facing. The setting is the fictional county of Yoknapatawpha, more precisely the town of Jefferson. Charles Mallison, a 16-year-old boy, is the narrator who tells the story of the black farmer, Lucas Beauchamp, wrongly arrested for the murder of a white man, named Vinson Gowrie. Lucas is exonerated through the efforts of the white teenager.
Charles Mallison, together with the black friend and family servant, Aleck Sander, as well as Miss Eunice Habersham, a lady of seventy , secretly drives out to the grave of Vinson Gowrie and digs him up. At the open grave they find out that the murdered person in the grave is not Vinson Gowrie but a man called Jake Montgomery. After this discovery they call Charles Mallison’s uncle, Gavin Stevens, for help. The lawyer, Gavin Stevens, and the sheriff, Hope Hampton, manage to arrest the true murderer Crawford Gowrie by using Lucas Beauchamp as a kind of “bait”.
After arresting Gowrie in the local jail, he commits suicide in his cell. Crawford Gowrie was stealing lumber from his uncle and from his brother Vinson. He wanted to conceal this and therefore killed his brother Vinson. During the whole story, Lucas Beauchamp never tries to convince people from his innocence by explaining what happened, he simply wants them to see for themselves, as he knows that no white man would believe a black man.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- History and Definition of the Detective Story
- Intruder in the Dust as a Detective Story
- Elements of the Plot
- The Murder as the Central Crime
- Interrogation of Suspects
- The Answer to the Crime
- The Red Herring
- The Idea of Fair Play
- Places and Figures in a Detective Story
- The Protagonists in a Detective Story
- The Role of the Detective
- The Role of the Watson Figure
- History and Definition of the Novel of Initiation
- Intruder in the Dust as a Novel of Initiation
- The Beginning of Charles Mallison's Maturation
- Charles Mallison as a Racist
- Charles Mallison's Use of Language
- Charles Mallison's Attitude towards Lucas
- Charles Mallison's Moment of Initiation
- The Process of Charles Mallison's Maturation
- Charles Mallison's Emotional Transformation
- Charles Mallison's Intellectual Transformation
- The End of Charles Mallison's Maturation
- Charles Mallison's Reconciliation to Society
- Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze William Faulkner's Intruder in the Dust through the lens of genre, specifically examining whether it functions as a detective story and/or a novel of initiation. The analysis will investigate the narrative's adherence to conventions of each genre, focusing on character development and plot structure to determine the most appropriate classification.
- The conventions of the detective story genre and their presence (or absence) in Intruder in the Dust.
- The process of Charles Mallison's maturation as a central theme in the novel.
- The exploration of racial injustice and prejudice in the American South.
- The role of justice and the complexities of the legal system in resolving the central conflict.
- The use of setting and atmosphere to enhance the narrative and thematic concerns.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces William Faulkner's Intruder in the Dust, setting the scene in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County. It presents the central plot, focusing on the wrongful arrest of Lucas Beauchamp, a black farmer, for the murder of a white man. The narrative highlights the involvement of Charles Mallison, a sixteen-year-old boy, who, along with his uncle and others, uncovers the truth behind the murder, ultimately leading to the arrest of the real killer, Crawford Gowrie. This introduction establishes the main characters, the central conflict (racial injustice and murder mystery), and the overall trajectory of the story, which will be further analyzed through the lenses of the detective story and bildungsroman genres.
History and Definition of the Detective Story: This section provides a historical overview of the detective story genre, tracing its origins to Edgar Allan Poe and discussing its development in both American and British literature. It explores the conventions of the genre, emphasizing elements such as the seemingly perfect crime, the wrongly accused suspect, the superior intellect of the detective, and the unexpected denouement. The chapter also defines a detective story as a type of popular literature where the solution of the crime is central, allowing the reader the choice of simply reading the story or attempting to solve the mystery before the story's resolution is revealed. This chapter lays the groundwork for the subsequent analysis of Intruder in the Dust within the context of the detective fiction genre.
Intruder in the Dust as a Detective Story: This section delves into the application of detective story conventions to Intruder in the Dust. It analyzes the narrative's adherence to genre conventions, examining aspects such as the central crime, the interrogation of suspects, the revelation of the culprit, and the presence (or lack thereof) of a classic detective figure. It critically assesses whether the novel successfully embodies the characteristics of a typical detective story, drawing upon specific examples from the text to support its argument.
History and Definition of the Novel of Initiation: This section defines and explores the characteristics of the bildungsroman, or novel of initiation, highlighting the key elements that typically define this genre. It sets the stage for the subsequent analysis of Intruder in the Dust as a potential example of this literary form, laying out the conceptual framework needed to understand the novel's examination of character development and transformation.
Intruder in the Dust as a Novel of Initiation: This chapter focuses on Intruder in the Dust as a novel of initiation, centering on Charles Mallison's growth and maturation. The analysis examines Charles's journey, from his initial racist attitudes to his eventual understanding and acceptance of Lucas Beauchamp. It details Charles's emotional and intellectual development throughout the narrative, highlighting key events and interactions that contribute to his transformation. This chapter carefully analyzes Charles's development as the central character's coming-of-age, emphasizing this aspect of the novel over the purely detective elements.
Keywords
William Faulkner, Intruder in the Dust, detective story, novel of initiation, bildungsroman, racial injustice, American South, Charles Mallison, Lucas Beauchamp, justice, prejudice, character development, genre analysis.
William Faulkner's Intruder in the Dust: A Genre Analysis - FAQ
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of William Faulkner's Intruder in the Dust, analyzing it through the lenses of the detective story and the novel of initiation. It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, all designed to facilitate a structured and professional academic analysis of the text.
What genres are explored in relation to Intruder in the Dust?
The document primarily analyzes Intruder in the Dust as both a detective story and a novel of initiation (bildungsroman). It examines how well the novel conforms to the conventions of each genre, considering plot structure and character development.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the conventions of the detective story genre as they appear (or don't appear) in Faulkner's work; the maturation process of Charles Mallison, the protagonist; the exploration of racial injustice and prejudice in the American South; the role of justice and the complexities of the legal system; and the use of setting and atmosphere to enhance the narrative and thematic concerns.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured to systematically examine Intruder in the Dust. It begins by defining the detective story and the novel of initiation genres, followed by an examination of how Intruder in the Dust fits (or doesn't fit) into these categories. Each chapter of the novel is summarized, highlighting key elements relevant to the genre analysis.
What aspects of the detective story genre are considered?
The analysis of Intruder in the Dust as a detective story considers elements such as the central crime, the interrogation of suspects, the identification of the culprit, the presence of a classic detective figure, and the overall adherence to typical detective story conventions.
How is the novel of initiation genre addressed in the analysis?
The analysis of Intruder in the Dust as a novel of initiation focuses on Charles Mallison's development. It traces his journey, highlighting his emotional and intellectual transformation, particularly his evolving understanding of racial prejudice and justice. Key events and interactions that contribute to his maturation are examined.
What are the chapter summaries focused on?
Chapter summaries provide an overview of each section, emphasizing aspects relevant to the genre analysis. They highlight the central plot points, character developments, and thematic elements that contribute to the overall argument about the novel's genre classifications.
What are the key words associated with the analysis?
Key words associated with the analysis include: William Faulkner, Intruder in the Dust, detective story, novel of initiation, bildungsroman, racial injustice, American South, Charles Mallison, Lucas Beauchamp, justice, prejudice, character development, and genre analysis.
Who is the intended audience of this document?
This document is intended for academic use, supporting the structured and professional analysis of themes in William Faulkner's Intruder in the Dust. It is designed to be a resource for students and researchers studying the novel and its genre classifications.
- Quote paper
- Kerstin Köck (Author), 2010, "Intruder in the Dust" and the Question of Genre, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/305762
