Absalom, Absalom!

to establish order by maintaining a close relationship with myth, or a collective ideal, because it has “exceptional significance in explaining [essential] features of life” (7). Because myth provides such order, in The Sound and the Fury and Absalom, Absalom!, the amount of pain and loss that exists in the time-bound reality determines the rigidity of the individual’s interior world. Faulkner’s narrators often battle with themselves by looking towards the future or by believing that change can…

person wether it be for better or worse. Absalom Kumalo, James Jarvis, and Stephen Kumalo discover through time, this exact thing in Alan Paton's novel: Cry, the Beloved Country. Frightened at first, experiencing pain, and suffering but emerging as a new person with understanding proves to be the path each character will take to discover who they really are. John Kumalo, entering the world as a clueless man discovers the harsh truth of South Africa, Absalom Kumalo, wanting to leave behind a…

there is a loved son, Absalom, who commits murder and later, dies of a violent death. In the novel, Absalom “is in prison, arrested for the murder of a white man” (128) and is sentenced to be “hanged by the neck until you [Absalom] are dead” (236). In the Bible, Absalom kills one of his brothers and later on in the story, dies during a revolt against his father. Although sinful acts were committed in both stories, the fathers unconditionally loved their sons. On the day that Absalom was…

Strong families work together to overcome diversity. When Kumalo finds out that Absalom will soon face trial, Kumalo takes the effort to find a lawyer, even though he has not seen his son in a very long time, which shows how Kumalo cares about his son. Although in the end, Absalom’s trial finds him guilty, Kumalo and Absalom share a few precious moments. When Kumalo sees his son for possibly…

Deceptions in The Hebrew Scriptures. Xinyu Yao In general, deception is considered as an evil deed. Early at the beginning of the Genesis 4, when Cain and his brother Abel both bring their offering to the Lord, the Lord only notices Abel and Abel’s offerings while has no regard for Cain and Cain’s offering. Out of jealous, Cain not only tricks Abel to the field and kills Abel, but also lies to the Lord God. The Lord is very angry and cursed Cain, who becomes a fugitive wandering on the earth…

Under the influence of his cousin Matthew and an older boy named Johannes, Absalom begins to commit petty crimes, “... [bringing] many things… in the late hours of the night” (Paton 79), and had as a matter of fact, been sent, “‘[by] the magistrate…to the reformatory’”(Paton 96). When arriving at the reformatory, Kumalo learns worse news about Absalom that causes him even more suffering: “‘... there [is] a girl who [is] pregnant by him” (Paton 98). however, Kumalo’s…

Perhaps due to the time most of these books were written, women in classics always had passive roles. From Greek and Roman classics, to the bible, the role of women in such stories has always been secondary, sometimes even downplayed to props. Even if the woman is considered to be one of the story’s main characters, many times their plot revolves solely around men. One could point out a few examples of strong women in the classics, and although those exist, it is evident that in those times,…

The Fall of King David King David is known by many as the child who killed Goliath with a sling and a stone and who united all of Israel under the rule of Jerusalem. While this is how David became king, this kingship was the cause of most, if not all, of his sins. David, after becoming king, abused his powers for self gain and pleasure, and was eventually punished by God for these sins. This punishment not only lead to David being chastised, but his family also received this chastisement from…

politician. He fears that he'll discover the way that his son has been living. "Here in my heart there is nothing but fear. Fear, fear, fear," he says when he hears that a white man has been killed. His fear is that Absalom may be the person who committed the crime. Kumalo says, "…Absalom…went away, to look for my sister, but he never returned, nor after a while did he write any more. Our letters, his mother's and mine, all came back to us. And now after what you tell me, I am still more…

The idea of Kingship is profoundly introduced within the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles. The people of Israel wanted a king, God granted them this but not without a warning that when the people cry out to him, he will not be there. The idea of Kingship within these books are complicated. God at the beginning warns the people of having a king will be bad for them and he disapproves, on the other hand God then finds men and puts his trust and gives wisdom to future…