That Evening Sun by William Faulkner

In That Evening Sun by William Faulkner we have the theme of fear, innocence and inequality. Taken from his Selected Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by a young man called Quentin Compson and it is worth noting that the title of the story comes from a W.C. Handy song, popular at the time the story was written, called Saint Louis Blues. The first paragraph of the story is also interesting as it unclear as to whether Quentin is lamenting the change in society and the innocence that he may have lost since he was a child or that he is suggesting that like Jefferson, he too has changed and may not necessarily react, today, as he did as a nine year old when it came to Nancy’s plight. Some critics argue that Quentin mirrors the changes (progressive) that have come to Jefferson and that he would do things differently while others suggest that Quentin remains the same, that he longs to return to a time when things were easier (for southern aristocracy). Though the reader can never be sure of Quentin’s feelings as an adult, what is certain is that throughout the story, the nine year old Quentin, his sister Caddy and his brother Jason never appear to have a clear understanding of Nancy’s dilemma. While Nancy expresses a genuine fear of retribution (for getting pregnant by another man) from her husband, Jesus, the children never appear to fully comprehend what may happen to Nancy.

Quentin and his sibling’s inability to grasp the significance of what may happen Nancy is noticeable several times in the story. On the two occasions that Nancy walks down the lane with the children it is obvious to the reader that she is afraid. On the first occasion when she is talking to Mr Compson, she fears that Jesus is nearby, however Caddy and Jason are too busy to notice, with Caddy teasing Jason of being afraid to walk down the lane. On the second occasion when Nancy is walking down the lane she starts to talk loudly and calls Jason, Mister Jason (same name as Quentin’s father). Though it is clear to the reader that Nancy is doing so because she fears that Jesus may be listening in the bushes and that he might be afraid to do anything if he thinks Mr Compson is with her, this is lost on the children who thinks it’s strange that Nancy is talking so loud with Caddy telling Nancy that ‘you talk like there was five of us here.’

Both of these occasions serve to highlight Quentin and his sibling’s innocence. They are after all only young children and it would not be expected for them to be aware of an adult’s fears. There are other incidents in the story which further suggest an innocence within the children. Quentin doesn’t understand what Jesus means when he tells him that Nancy has a watermelon underneath her dress. Similarly when Nancy tells Jesus that ‘it never came off of your vine, though.’ Caddy doesn’t realise that Nancy is suggesting that Jesus is not the father of the child, instead she asks Nancy ‘off of what vine?’ Also the children don’t appear to understand that Nancy takes them home with her because she doesn’t want to be alone in case Jesus comes back and kills her.

Faulkner also explores the theme of inequality in the story. When Mr Stovall beats up Nancy, despite the incident being witnessed by a policeman, Mr Stovall is not arrested. Mr Stovall, who is possibly the father of Nancy’s child is not only white but deemed to be a pillar of the community and as such no action is taken against him. No action being taken against Mr Stovall is purely based on his job (banker and deacon) and the colour of his skin. Faulkner highlighting to the reader the racial inequality that existed in America at the time that the story was written. Faulkner continues to explore the inequality that existed at the time through the conversation Jesus has with Nancy in the Compson’s kitchen. Jesus tells Nancy that ‘I cant hang around white man’s kitchen, but white man can hang around mine. White man can come in my house, but I can’t stop him.’  Again this is important as it suggests that (at the time of writing) there were two rules, one for white people and one for black people, with black people being treated as second class citizens (if that). There is also the fact that Nancy, while in the Compson’s kitchen tells Quentin ‘I aint nothing but a nigger.’ This statement is important as it suggests that Nancy is accepting that she is of a lowly position, not a white person’s equal. So predominant would the belief been at the time that black people were not equal to white people, even Nancy herself is believing it.

The ending of the story is also significant, particularly Quentin’s question to his father, ‘Who will do our washing now, Father?’ Some critics suggest that this statement further highlights Quentin’s innocence, bearing in mind that he was only nine when he asked his father the question. However there are other critics who suggest that Quentin is mirroring the view point held by the majority of white people at the time the story was written, that the life of a black woman (or man) had very little value. It is difficult to know whether Quentin asks his father the question out of innocence or if he is disregarding the importance of Nancy’s life. The reader only has a paragraph, at the beginning of the story to judge Quentin and again critics differ on their interpretation of this paragraph.

See Also:

• Honor by William Faulkner
• Mountain Victory by William Faulkner
• A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner
• Dry September by William Faulkner