In his Nobel Prize acceptance speech William Faulkner talks about how a writer must inspire others and be a voice that speaks of "courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice." However, in his own writings he does the opposite; he writes about how cruel human being can be to one another and how lonely the world can feel.
As a black women in the early 1900's, Nancy does not get any respect and she is treated horribly, as seen when "Mr. Stovall kicked her in the mouth with his heel... she turned her head and spat out some blood and teeth," (Faulkner 168). Through this Faulkner does not display courageous men who speak out against racism and injustices, but he harps on the evil in men. To make matters worse Nancy is lonely and believes that once Mr. Jason and the kids leave, Jesus will kill her and that "putting it off won't do no good," (Faulkner 174). Nancy's story does not lift up hearts nor does it show the capabilities of the human spirit. Mr. Jason is not compassionate towards Nancy by consoling her and helping her feel safe. The story does not inspire honor, hope nor pity. Instead, it shows the bad in mankind and how truly small and unimportant one person can feel. Through "That Evening Sun" Faulkner does not help man endure and by his own credentials, he does not make good writing.
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