Light in August Essay

Violently employed, religion sallies forth the souls and lives of the Deep South. Consequently, the weight of Gods wrath, according to the Bible, becomes white mens burden to carry (Bush 1). Bible Revealed through myriad characters, fall down in August non only proves that Southerners inculcate their practice of religion but also nonplus apparitional brutality. Presented through Reverend Hightower, Doc Hines, and Mr. McEachern, Light in August establishes distinctive notions of faith.Reverend Hightower believed with a calm joy that if ever there was a shelter, it would be the Church that if ever the truth could move naked and without shame or fear, it would be the seminary (Faulkner 478). Diverging from Hightower, Mr. McEachern, viciously pious, believes that the two virtues are a buy the farm and fear of God (Faulkner 144). Blinded by his own version of religious life is Mr. Hines. Through lives of these characters, religious views with power from the Bible are evident. The i nitial moment Mr. McEachern adopts Joe Christmas, he emphasizes the significance of religion.In a sedate manner, while introducing himself he avers, I will take you learn soon that the two abominations are laziness and idle thinking, the two virtues are work and the fear of God (Faulkner 144). From a failure to memorize the Presbyterian catechism, Joe receives act whippings from Mr. McEachern merely at the hop on of eight. (Faulkner 147). Habitual whippings desensitized Joe towards distress and violence as a result, receiving them did not have an effect of him. (Faulkner 149). Using violence to teach religion, Mr.McEachern employs two opposite methods which alter Joes mentality.Because the punishment and pain he receives from McEachern, he refuses to learn anything religious consequently, Joe sees religion as pain. Without reservation, the single answer to this young boys incapability to memorize is severe punishment. He believes that his job was to teach Joe his religion even if it meant by force, hence, his means to achieve this goal was relentless tangible punishment. (Bush 2) His own inability to do Gods work is his own failure as well, which tremendously frustrates him.This brutal implementation causes Joe to see Mr. McEachern and His religion as antagonists. Moreover, one night as Joe returns home accompanied by a number of bruises and marks, Mr. McEachern asks if Joe left a mark on the person he fought with. He does not ask who he is fighting with or why he is fighting therefore, this proves to Joe that violence is tolerable. With his pants around his knees while McEachern sadistically beats him ten strokes per whipping, Joe did not flinch. The boy stares outward with a rapt, calm expression like a monk (Faulkner 149).The scene demonstrates how a young child is taught, through brutal religious fanaticism, , he is nothing more than an animal Joe bloom from the bed and went and knelt in the corner above the outraged food kneeling, with his han ds he ate, like a savage, like a dog. (Bush 1) Faulkner produces characters that illustrate a failure to amend. Joe still receives that same punishment at the age of eighteen as he did when he was eight. Out of fear, Joe lies to Mr. McEachern about selling the heifer just to save himself from physical punishment however, treating him as if hes still young, Mr.McEachern strikes Joe after discovering his lie.Present, Faulkner suggests a yearning of vengeance in Joe as he asserts, Dont you hit me again (Faulkner 164-5). The last time Mr. McEachern attempts to strike Joe steers him to his death. patronage teaching Joe the peace, love and joy of religion, McEachern forcefully teaches Joe his own extreme vision of religion, the dark side. As a result, McEachern fails he also lessens Joes feelings and emotions. Inherently, Joe inherits violence through the lessons of Mr. McEachern.