Absalom, Absalom

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1936

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Wisteria

Wisteria, a climbing vine with cascading clusters of violet flowers, is a powerful and evocative symbol that is woven into the narrative through Ellen Coldfield, Rosa’s sister. Ellen, who marries Thomas Sutpen, becomes entwined with the plant as it envelops the Sutpen mansion. The wisteria, with its aggressive growth and pervasive nature (it is an invasive species in the southeastern United States), mirrors the past’s inexorable influence on the characters and the Southern landscape.

The wisteria’s presence is not merely ornamental but carries thematic weight. It symbolizes the entangled history and relationships that haunt the characters, weaving a narrative of both beauty and decay. As the vine creeps over the Sutpen mansion, it becomes a living emblem of the South’s historical legacy, creeping into every corner and crevice of the characters’ lives. The wisteria is a visual representation of the past’s beauty and haunting persistence.

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Furthermore, the wisteria in Absalom, Absalom! underscores Faulkner’s exploration of the inevitability of time and decay. The vine’s relentless growth and eventual decline reflect the cyclical nature of history and the passage of time. In this way, the wisteria becomes a metaphor for the characters’ attempts to reconcile with their pasts and the enduring impact of historical and personal tragedies.

Ghosts/Hauntings

Ghosts and hauntings act as powerful motifs in the novel, serving also as metaphors for the lingering, haunting legacies of the past. The novel is haunted not only by the literal ghosts of deceased characters but also by the spectral presence of unresolved histories and unfulfilled desires. The haunting, ghostly imagery symbolizes the inescapable consequences of actions, the weight of guilt, and the persistent influence of bygone eras on the present.

The ghosts in the novel are not confined to the supernatural; they also manifest as memories, secrets, and retellings. Characters grapple with the haunting specters of their own pasts, struggling to come to terms with the sins and tragedies that reverberate through generations. Faulkner uses the motif of ghosts to convey the psychological and emotional toll of unresolved trauma, creating an atmosphere of tension and unease that permeates the narrative.

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Moreover, ghosts reflect Faulkner’s exploration of the South’s collective history, particularly the legacy of slavery and the Civil War. The spectral presence of unresolved racial tensions and the haunting consequences of slavery cast a shadow over the characters and their interactions, reinforcing the idea that the ghosts of the past are inextricably woven into the fabric of the Southern experience. In Absalom, Absalom! ghosts are a poignant reminder that history, like a persistent specter, cannot be easily exorcised or forgotten.

The Sutpen Home

The Sutpen home, known as “Sutpen’s Hundred,” is a physical manifestation of Thomas Sutpen’s grandiose ambitions and moral decay. The mansion, once a symbol of wealth and power, becomes a decaying and Gothic structure, mirroring the broader decline of the South in the aftermath of the Civil War. The Sutpen home symbolizes the consequences of Sutpen’s ruthless pursuit of his vision, highlighting the destructive impact of his unrestrained ambitions on both him and those connected to him.

Also a motif, the Sutpen home encapsulates the intricate web of relationships and narratives within the novel. It becomes a focal point for characters’ recollections, discussions, and reflections, a haunting backdrop for the unfolding family saga. The dilapidated mansion, surrounded by wild and overgrown vegetation, symbolizes the disintegration of traditional Southern values and the erosion of the antebellum way of life. The home underscores Faulkner’s exploration of the complex interplay between individual choices and the broader historical context, as well as the lasting impact of one man’s ambitions on the landscape and legacy of the South.

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Furthermore, the mansion’s physical decay reflects the moral decay of its builder, Thomas Sutpen. The deteriorating grandeur of Sutpen’s Hundred becomes a visual metaphor for the consequences of his actions and the inherent flaws in his ruthless pursuit of wealth and power. The Sutpen home, as both symbol and motif, encapsulates the novel’s themes of the South’s decline, the weight of history, and the intricate complexities of human nature.