“That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner: Analysis

Introduction: “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner

“That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner first appeared in the March 1931 issue of The American Mercury. It rapidly garnered critical acclaim and popular attention. Subsequently included in Faulkner’s 1931 collection These 13, the story has become a staple of anthologies and literature courses. Lauded as a masterpiece of Southern Gothic literature, “That Evening Sun” explores the unsettling undercurrents of life in the American South. Through its haunting portrayal of racial injustice and its psychological impact, the story retains enduring relevance and continues to be a subject of academic and literary interest.

Main Events in “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner

1. Nancy’s Escalating Fear: Nancy, a Black washerwoman working for the Compsons, is terrified that her estranged husband, Jesus, is going to kill her. She suspects she’s pregnant by a white man, heightening the tension and danger in the racially charged environment.
2. Children as Witnesses: The story is told mainly through the eyes of young Quentin Compson, and his siblings observe as Nancy’s fear and the adults’ reactions unfold.
3. Mr. Compson’s Concern and Mrs. Compson’s Indifference: Mr. Compson attempts to reassure Nancy and offers to protect her, but Mrs. Compson expresses jealousy and disregard for Nancy’s plight.
4. Nancy’s Spiraling Terror: Nancy becomes increasingly paranoid, imagining Jesus lurking in the ditch outside her house. Her fear disrupts the Compson household.
5. Children’s Confusion: Quentin and his siblings witness the escalating situation but don’t fully grasp the complexities of race, sexuality, and violence in the adult world.
6. Nancy’s Desperate Plea to Stay: Nancy begs to stay overnight at the Compson house to avoid danger, but Mr. Compson insists on taking her home.
7. Mr. Compson Drives Her Home: Despite the potential risk, Mr. Compson drives Nancy home in the evening, highlighting his sense of responsibility amidst social injustice.
8. Nighttime Confrontation: Sounds of a struggle are heard from Nancy’s house late at night, suggesting a violent encounter with Jesus.
9. Nancy’s Fate Uncertain: The story doesn’t explicitly confirm Nancy’s death, but leaves a strong implication of tragedy.
10. Dilsey Returns: Dilsey, the Compson’s regular Black cook, returns from visiting her sick daughter, providing a sense of comfort and stability to the frightened children.
11. Children Attempt to Sleep: Quentin, Caddy, and Jason try to settle for the night, but their anxieties about the world linger.
12. Quentin’s Fears for Caddy: Quentin contemplates his sister Caddy’s future, worrying about the dangers and corruption she may face as a woman.
13. Focus on Father’s Watch: Quentin fixates on his father’s watch, hearing it tick as a symbol of time passing by and of his own transition into the complex adult world.
14. Ambiguous Ending: The story ends without resolving Nancy’s fate or easing the children’s fears, leaving the reader with a heavy sense of injustice and enduring anxiety.

Literary Devices in “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner

1. Allusion: While not prominent, elements like the blues song title woven into the story’s name (“That Evening Sun Go Down”) hint at cultural themes of sadness and despair.
2. Diction:
3. Faulkner’s masterful use of Southern dialect (“Yessum”, “whyn’t you quit dat”, “done”) creates a vivid sense of time, place, and social separation for the characters.
4. Foreshadowing: Early lines like “I hate to see that evening sun go down” and Nancy’s comments about Jesus being in the ditch set a tone of fear and impending danger.
5. Hyperbole: Used subtly, phrases like Nancy’s fear that the evening sun will “kill” her heighten the psychological tension.
6. Imagery: Faulkner uses vivid sensory details: “the ditch, a vague, dark form,” “a smooth, hot place where the firelight came,” and the sound of dry leaves under Nancy’s feet.
7. Irony:
8. Dramatic Irony: The reader knows Nancy is likely in danger, whereas the children are largely unaware.
9. Situational Irony: Mr. Compson’s attempts at protection are well-intentioned, but ultimately futile in a society bound by racial injustice.
10. Juxtaposition: The stark social and power differences between the Compsons and Nancy underscore the inherent inequalities of the era.
11. Metaphor: Comparing the sound of Nancy’s crying to “not singing and not unsinging” creates a powerful and haunting image.
12. Mood: The story establishes a persistent mood of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, particularly regarding Nancy’s fate.
13. Motif: The recurring references to the setting sun and its fading light highlight the passage of time, impending darkness, and the fear that accompanies it.
14. Narrator: Quentin is a young, white boy, likely an unreliable narrator due to his limited understanding of the complex racial dynamics of his world.
15. Personification: The sun is given the sinister attribute of going down “like somebody was sticking a knife into it.”
16. Point of View Told from Quentin’s limited first-person perspective, the story highlights the innocence and blind spots of a child amidst complex adult issues.
17. Repetition: The title, “That Evening Sun”, and Nancy’s repeated phrases about Jesus being by the ditch contribute to the mounting tension.
18. Setting The story’s Southern setting during the era of racial segregation is fundamental to the social conflicts it explores.
19. Simile: Examples like “a path worn smooth like a road” and Quentin’s tears drying “like spots of hot grease” bring the environment to life.
20. Stream of Consciousness: In Quentin’s narration, we see his unfiltered thoughts and anxieties shift rapidly, reflecting the disordered nature of a child’s mind making sense of the world.
21. Symbolism: (i) The Evening Sun: Represents both the inevitable passage of time and the encroaching threat of danger, especially for Nancy. (ii) Nancy’s Yellow Laundry: Evokes a sense of fragility and vulnerability within a racially unjust society.
22. Tone: The overall tone is dark, unsettling, and permeated by a lingering sense of dread and injustice.

Characterization in “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner

Character	Role	Significance	Example from the Story
Nancy	Protagonist	A Black laundress overwhelmed by fear of her estranged husband, Jesus. She embodies the vulnerability, oppression, and potential for violence faced by Black women in the era.	“I can’t sleep…whilst he in them woods…”
Quentin Compson	Narrator	A young white boy of the privileged Compson family. His limited perspective offers glimpses into the racial dynamics of his world.	He describes Nancy as “hellborn” and witnesses the white adults’ reactions, including his father’s attempts to help.
Jason Compson	Minor Character	Quentin’s younger brother, he embodies the inherent power of young white boys. His cruel teasing of Nancy hints at the future reinforcement of social injustice.	“Who will eat my supper?” he whines when Nancy delays cooking.
Mr. Compson	Minor Character	Quentin’s father. He displays kindness towards Nancy yet remains constrained by social conventions.	He tries to reassure Nancy, drives her home, but doesn’t offer lasting protection.
Mrs. Compson	Minor Character	Quentin’s mother. She is self-absorbed and dismissive of Nancy’s distress, revealing ingrained prejudice.	She complains about delayed supper and shows jealousy of Nancy.
Jesus	Antagonist (Offstage Presence)	Nancy’s estranged husband. His unseen presence is a continuous, ominous threat, symbolic of the pervasive violence and injustice towards Black people.	Nancy’s fear focuses on Jesus: “He gonna kill me… hiding by the ditch…”
Dilsey	Minor Character	The Compson’s regular cook, she offers a sense of normalcy and comfort, especially to the children.	Her return at the close of the story provides a sliver of stability.

Major Themes in “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner

Racial Injustice and Oppression:

• Nancy’s escalating fear stems from her race and social standing as a Black woman in the Jim Crow South.

• ·  Her fear is heightened because her presumed pregnancy is likely the result of a relationship with a white man, violating the era’s racial codes.
• The Compsons, while showing some sympathy, ultimately cannot protect Nancy within a system built on inequality.

The Terror of Domestic Violence:

• Jesus, though unseen, casts a shadow of violence and control over Nancy, highlighting the vulnerability of women, especially Black women, trapped in abusive relationships.
• Nancy’s desperate attempts to find safe haven illustrate the lack of resources and societal disregard for domestic abuse victims.

Societal Indifference and Complicity:

• Mrs. Compson’s dismissive attitude towards Nancy’s plight reveals how ingrained prejudices contribute to the maintenance of injustice.
• Mr. Compson’s limited attempts at help show the impotence of well-meaning individuals within an oppressive system.

·  The Vulnerability of Innocence:

• Quentin’s childlike perspective underscores how children witness and absorb the complexities of race, abuse, and social injustice without fully grasping their nuances.
• His lingering anxiety and fixation on the ticking watch suggest unease as he begins to understand the troubled adult world he will inherit.

The Corrupting Power of Fear:

• Nancy’s fear distorts her perception of reality, blurring the lines between real threats and delusions.
• Fear permeates the household, impacting the Compson children and highlighting psychological damage inflicted by unjust social structures.

Writing Style in “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner

• Stream-of-Consciousness Narration: The story unfolds primarily through Quentin’s fragmented thoughts, mimicking a child’s jumbled and often illogical thought processes.
• Nonlinear Structure: The narrative shifts between past recollections and the present, further mirroring the unreliability and disordered perspective of childhood memory.
• Fragmented Narrative: The lack of clear resolution and lingering questions enhance the story’s sense of unease and ambiguity, reflecting the complexities of the social themes it explores.
• Repetition: Phrases like “That Evening Sun” and Nancy’s repeated fears about Jesus create a sense of mounting dread and underscore psychological distress.
• Imagery: Vivid sensory details about the setting and characters paint a rich picture of the Southern environment and highlight disparities between the powerful and the powerless.
• Modernist Techniques: Faulkner’s experimental style aligns with the modernist literary movement, challenging traditional narrative conventions and providing a platform for multifaceted explorations of the human experience.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner

Literary Theory	Focus	How it Applies to “That Evening Sun”
Feminist Criticism	Examines gender roles, power dynamics, and female representation in literature	* Highlights Nancy’s vulnerability as a Black woman in a patriarchal society. * Analyzes how limited protection and Mrs. Compson’s indifference underscore female oppression within societal structures.
Marxist Criticism	Focuses on economic and class conflicts, exploring power struggles based on social standing.	* Explores the power imbalance between the Compson family and Nancy based on class and race. * Analyzes how Nancy’s plight is intertwined with the economic and social structures that perpetuate injustice.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Analyzes characters’ motivations, unconscious desires, and the influence of psychological factors	* Investigates Nancy’s fear as both a rational response to societal danger and a potentially paranoid reaction to trauma. * Examines Quentin’s anxieties about the adult world as tied to subconscious fears about loss of childhood and awareness of social corruption.
New Historicism	Examines literature within its historical context, connecting it to cultural trends and political events	* Analyzes “That Evening Sun” as a product of the Jim Crow South, examining how racial segregation and social attitudes shape the story. * Connects it to the Great Migration and rising awareness of racial injustice.
Reader-Response Criticism	Focuses on how the reader experiences and interprets a text, emphasizing individual reactions.	* Explores how the story’s ambiguity and fragmented narrative create a sense of unease and open-endedness in the reader. * Considers how a reader’s background and cultural context influence their interpretation of Nancy’s fate and the story’s themes.

Questions and Thesis Statements about “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner

Race and Racism

• Guiding Question: How does “That Evening Sun” depict the racial tensions and violence in the American South during the early 20th century?
• Thesis Statement: Through the characters of Nancy and the Compson family, Faulkner portrays the pervasive racism and violence that characterized the American South during the Jim Crow era, revealing the devastating impact of racial inequality on both white and Black individuals.

Gender and Power

• Guiding Question: How does “That Evening Sun” explore the gendered violence and power dynamics between men and women during this time period?
• Thesis Statement: Faulkner’s portrayal of Nancy’s abusive relationship with Jesus highlights the gendered violence and power dynamics that were prevalent in the American South during the early 20th century, revealing the ways in which women, particularly Black women, were often subjected to systemic violence and oppression.

Morality and Guilt

• Guiding Question: How does “That Evening Sun” explore themes of morality, guilt, and responsibility in the context of racial violence and oppression?
• Thesis Statement: The Compson family’s complicity in the violence and oppression of Black people in their community underscores the moral ambiguity and complexity of racial violence, revealing the ways in which systems of power and oppression can corrupt even those who are not directly responsible for perpetuating them.

Stream-of-Consciousness Narration

• Guiding Question: How does Faulkner’s use of stream-of-consciousness narration in “That Evening Sun” contribute to the story’s meaning and impact?
• Thesis Statement: Faulkner’s use of stream-of-consciousness narration in “That Evening Sun” enhances the story’s psychological depth and emotional impact, highlighting the complex inner lives and subjective experiences of the characters and illuminating the ways in which individual subjectivity is shaped by larger social and cultural forces.

Short Question-Answer “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner

Question	Answer	Example from the Story
Multiple Narrators How does Faulkner use multiple narrators to explore the complexities of racial violence and oppression in the American South?	Faulkner’s fragmented narrative with shifting perspectives reveals the psychological and social effects of systemic racism. Different voices highlight how racism permeates all aspects of life, even within a single community.	Quentin’s naivete vs. Nancy’s lived experience exposes the stark contrast between a privileged white child’s understanding of race and the harsh realities faced by a Black woman.
Symbolism How does symbolism in “That Evening Sun” contribute to themes of guilt and moral responsibility?	Faulkner uses symbols like the evening sun, mud, and shadows to represent the pervasive nature of violence and the moral complicity of those who benefit from unjust systems.	The recurring image of “the blood” that the Compsons dismiss is a haunting symbol of their guilt and refusal to acknowledge the injustice they perpetuate.
Time How does Faulkner use time in “That Evening Sun” to explore the psychological effects of trauma and violence?	The non-linear storytelling emphasizes how trauma distorts the perception of time. It highlights the cyclical nature of violence in the South, where past horrors continue to shape the present.	The ticking clock and fading sunlight become relentless reminders of time passing and the seeming inevitability of violence, creating a sense of inescapable dread.
Setting How does the setting of “That Evening Sun” convey a sense of claustrophobia and confinement?	The story’s limited setting mirrors the characters’ lack of freedom and choices. It reinforces the pervasive power structures that control all aspects of their lives.	Nancy’s desperate hiding beneath the porch symbolizes her constrained existence and the societal forces that keep her trapped in fear and vulnerability.

Literary Works Similar to “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner

Notable Works Exploring Themes Similar to “That Evening Sun”:

• Novels
  • The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison: Explores the devastating psychological impact of racism and internalized oppression, especially on young Black women.
• Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison: Addresses themes of identity, invisibility, and the struggle for recognition within a racially divided society.
• Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward: Portrays the lives of marginalized communities in the American South, confronting themes of poverty, violence, and resilience.
• Go Tell It On the Mountain by James Baldwin: Explores the intersection of race, religion, and sexuality in African American communities.
• Short Stories
  • “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner: Shares Faulkner’s Southern Gothic style, exploration of psychological darkness, and a focus on the grotesque aspects of life in the South.
  • “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin: Depicts the struggles of African Americans in urban settings, the complexities of familial relationships, and the themes of suffering and redemption.

Reasons for Similarity

• Focus on Marginalized Communities: These works highlight the experiences of characters facing oppression due to race, class, or gender, mirroring the exploration of racial injustice and vulnerability in Faulkner’s story.
• Southern Gothic Influence: Some works share the dark atmosphere, decaying societal structures, and grotesque elements characteristic of the Southern Gothic literary tradition, of which “That Evening Sun” is a prime example.
• Psychological Exploration: Each of these works delves into the inner lives of their characters, revealing how societal pressures and individual experiences shape their struggles, motivations, and choices.

Suggested Readings: “That Evening Sun” by William Faulkner

Scholarly Resources

• Peek, Charles A. “‘That Evening Sun(g)’: Blues Inscribing Black Space in White Stories.” The Southern Literary Journal 36.2 (2004): 51-68. Project Muse. Web. 10 March 2024.
  • Explores the influence of blues music on the story’s structure and thematic development.

Critical Analyses

• LitCharts. “That Evening Sun.” LitCharts. LitCharts LLC. 19 Dec 2018. Web. 10 March 2024. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/that-evening-sun
  • Offers detailed plot summary, character analysis, and exploration of key themes.
• SparkNotes. “That Evening Sun: Context.” SparkNotes. SparkNotes LLC. n.d. Web. 10 March 2024. [invalid URL removed]
  • Provides historical context and critical commentary on the story.

Biographical and Background Information

• Encyclopedia.com. “That Evening Sun | Encyclopedia.com” Encyclopedia.com. 10 March 2024. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/evening-sun
  • Provides background on the story’s publication and critical reception, as well as placing it within the broader context of Faulkner’s work.