44 pages • 1 hour read
William FaulknerA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Content Warning: This section of the guide reproduces sexist depictions of women and refers to an instance of sexual assault against a minor.
The narration introduces Eula Varner, Will Varner’s youngest child, as a lazy and indulgent 13-year-old who spends all her time eating. She has never been motivated by anything other than male attention, and Jody was the one to make her go to school. Eula stays in school until, at age 14, she is sexually assaulted by the schoolteacher, Labove.
Labove was hired by Will Varner after working his way through university. When Eula first came to school, Labove treated her first with rage and then with fascination at how she had prematurely developed, looking like she had already gone through puberty at age eight. Labove, generally misanthropic and isolated, struggles with his attraction to Eula. He finally tries to assault her one day when Jody is late to pick her up, but Eula fights him off and leaves. Labove waits for her to tell Jody and for Jody to come back to the schoolhouse and fight him, but Jody never comes. Labove agonizes over his feelings and actions. Even when it seems that Eula has not told anyone, Labove decides to immediately leave town, not even retrieving his belongings from his room.
By William Faulkner
Absalom, Absalom
William Faulkner
A Fable
William Faulkner
A Rose for Emily
William Faulkner
As I Lay Dying
William Faulkner
Barn Burning
William Faulkner
Dry September
William Faulkner
Go Down, Moses
William Faulkner
Intruder In The Dust
William Faulkner
Light in August
William Faulkner
Sanctuary
William Faulkner
Spotted Horses
William Faulkner
That Evening Sun
William Faulkner
The Bear
William Faulkner
The Reivers
William Faulkner
The Sound and the Fury
William Faulkner
The Unvanquished
William Faulkner