alienation.Faulkners portrayal of alienation as a central theme in Light in August is heavily emphasized in the misogynistic tone of the novel. We feel a sense that Joe Christmas has hatred towards women from his reaction to several experiences involving the opposite sex. We are apparent of his hatred towards women when he is an adolescent as he enters a small shack, where a young Negro girl is waiting. He kicked her hard, kicking into and through a choked wail of surprise and fear. She began to scream, he jerking her up, clutching her by the arm, hitting at her with wide, wild blows, striking at the voice perhaps, feeling her flesh anyway, enclosed by the womanshenegro and the haste. (pg. 147) His violence and hatred towards women stemmed from his childhood and his upbringing. As a result, caused him from being alienated from women. The author also presents us with different female characters all being labeled as either prostitutes, whores or unmarried pregnant women. Joe Christmas falls in love with Bobbie Allen, a prostitute living in a brothel with her pimp. We are also told about the story of Hightowers deceased wife, who subsequently, before she died, often went to Memphis to meet another man. Faulkners use of characters adds to the misogynistic tone of the novel. Society sees prostitution and adultery subjects of disapproval and sin. As a result, those involved in a sinful act become alienated in their community because of the disapproval of their lifestyles. The misogynistic tone is meant to give the reader the feeling of alienation. Joe Christmass hatred towards women adds to his alienated character. While the use of negative female roles, adds to the theme of alienation.Alienation is a concurrent theme in many of the Faulkners novels. He presents us this theme clearly in Light in August with his descriptive choice of setting as we are walked through Jefferson from the Reverend Gail Hightowers cabin to the myst...
