William Culbert Faulkner example essay topic

William Faulkner Although leading the life of an educated writer William Culbert Faulkner experienced the times of his life as a Hollywood writer. Probably known as the most famous writer / author of his time Faulkner adapted to his new lifestyles rapidly, and still remained well known in both the movie and book industries. Faulkner was born September 25, 1897 in New Albany, Mississippi. His named was inherited from his grandfather William Clark Faulkner, a skilled businessman and writer. After relocation to Oxford, Mississippi Faulkner's father started the First National Bank ("William Faulkner #3"). As a child in Oxford, William held a very artistic ideal of life, often drawing and writing poetry in school.

Faulkner also met his mentor, Phil Stone and his sweetheart, Estelle Oldham in Oxford. Estelle later married a young man named Cornell Franklin in 1918 while still in her youth. Stone on the other hand read Faulkner's work and instantly recognized his talent and gave him advice and models for study. He also invited Faulkner to stay with him in New Haven, where he worked in a New Haven Arms Company. Faulkner was later invited to be a cadet in the Royal Air Force in Canada. On his application papers Faulkner lied about many things to appear British.

Faulkner never served in the war and never finished training. Although his record showed a lack of military experience Faulkner still exaggerated stories of war on his return home. In 1919, Faulkner quit his brief life of a veteran to enroll in the University of Mississippi. During his time at the University, Faulkner wrote for many local magazines and papers along with the school yearbook and newspaper.

Among his many other college accomplishments, before he dropped out in 1920, was the founding of the University drama club 'The Marionettes' ("William Faulkner #2"). For about a year Faulkner wrote for the Mississippian and worked several odd jobs until finally he was recommended a job by Stark Young. The job was as a bookstore assistant in New York City (Walsh). In 1924 many of Faulkner's poetic works were published in a book entitled The Marble Faun. With his poetry book now published Faulkner moved to New Orleans and fell into a literary group that revolved around a literary magazine known as the Double Dealer ("William Faulkner #1"). Among the other few in this crowd of writers was Sherwood Anderson, another well-known southern writer.

During a brief stay in New Orleans, Faulkner wrote for the Double Dealer and wrote his first novel Soldier's Pay. During August of 1925 his book was being published in Europe and so Faulkner made the move across the Atlantic to eventually settle in Paris, France. By December Faulkner had moved back to the United States. Faulkner's second novel Mosquitoes is considered one of his weakest works.

For his third novel Faulkner set out to take Anderson's advice to write about his native region. His book would be based on the life of his great-grandfather during the Civil War. With a short success of books Faulkner had decided to write a book strictly for pleasure, but little did he know that the book was actually 'publishable'. After having written a book strictly to entertain him it was time for Faulkner to make money. With money on his mind Faulkner wrote Sanctuary a book that he later admitted was a 'money' book. In April of 1926 Estelle had divorced her husband and married Faulkner bringing along her two children Malcolm and Victoria ("Faulkner, William").

Now working nights in a power plant Faulkner's creative genius seemed to be at stake but still he wrote another book to add to his ever expanding collection. In April of 1930 Faulkner bought a home in Oxford that sank him deeper into debt. In 1931, Faulkner and Estelle had a daughter named Alabama but she was born prematurely and died in a matter of days. Soon after Alabama's passing Faulkner began work on his latest novel named Dark House.

The novel was Faulkner's first adventure into race and lineage, because it features a main character that was of a mixed racial lineage with an unknown past ("William Culbert Faulkner"). The book would be published as Light in 1932. In 1932, Faulkner experienced his first time as a screenwriter for MGM after signing a 6-week contract to produce a screenplay based on his book Turn About. After his father's death Faulkner now needed to support his mother, as well as, his own family. With a larger need for money Faulkner looked to the lights of Hollywood for the answer. In May 1933 Faulkner's contract with MGM expired and in June of that year Faulkner's only surviving daughter Jill was born.

On Faulkner's next Hollywood tour of duty he began work with 20th Century Fox. While working a 20th Century Fox Faulkner had an affair with his employer's secretary. Faulkner continued to work on multiple projects with 20th Century Fox until 1937. In the winter of 1938 Faulkner bought a wooded area adjacent to his home in Oxford and a farm seventeen miles from his home. Faulkner had a trilogy in mind for a family not interested in lineage or southern tradition. The first of the 'to be' trilogy was Barn Burning published in 1940.

During 1941, Faulkner wrote new stories and also reworked several stories into another episodic tale of a family. In July 1942, Faulkner had returned to California to work for Warner Brothers (WB) for a very slim salary. Faulkner produced many screenplays for WB including The Big Sleep, To Have and Have Not, and The Southerner. During his seven years at WB Faulkner got the opportunity to work with many of the day's biggest actors and actresses (Latil).

After his time at WB, Faulkner's latest project was a story titled A Fable but was interrupted during 1949 when Faulkner released a string of detective novels. In 1950 Faulkner was honored with a Howells Medal for his 'distinguished work' as well as a Nobel Prize for literature. During 1953 Faulkner remade his story The Brooch for a television series. Beyond his writing Faulkner suffered serious back pain as well as a strong addiction to alcohol. He also continued work on A Fable, which won him a National Book Award in 1954. In the times of the Civil Rights Movement, Faulkner began to condemn segregation a he wrote an article condemning the murder of Emit Till in Mississippi.

Faulkner also strongly debated integration in courts and took part in some small protests in Mississippi ("Faulkner, William Culbert"). In 1958, he received a Silver Medal of the Athens Academy for his stand on the Civil Rights Movement. During the time between 1959 and 1962 Faulkner revised his current works and finished his trilogy on the Snopes family. Sadly after a tragic horse accident William Culbert Faulkner died at the exact time of his great-grandfather's birthday.

In conclusion, to the many details of Faulkner's life I can agree that he was probably one of the most versatile writers of his time, as well as, one the most well represented through his works. Stories like Faulkner's are timeless pieces due to their ability to still be relevant even though the story in point may be up to 4 times a reader's age. Work Cited " Faulkner, William" Three Famous Short Stories. Chicago: Vintage Books, 1961"Faulkner, William Culbert" Contemporary Authors. Vol. 33. Detroit: Gale, 1991.

Latil, Nathan, ed. University Wire Walsh, William, ed. Library Journal "William Culbert Faulkner" Short Story Criticisms. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 1988".

William Faulkner #1" American Writers. Vol. 2. Minnesota: University of Minnesota, 1974". William Faulkner #2" Authors & Artists For Young Adults.

Vol. 7. Detroit: 1991". William Faulkner #3" MaGill's Survey of American Literature. Vol. 2.

New York: Cavendish, 1991.