Important Broad Questions & Answers of 4th Semester English Major Bankura university

 Important Broad Questions & Answers  of 4th Semester English  Major  Bankura university

MJC - 5

1. How does Swift use the miniature world of Lilliput to satirize British politics and society in Gulliver’s Travels?

Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels (1726) is a masterful example of political and social satire. The first part of the novel, set in the land of Lilliput, features a miniature world that allows Swift to critique British politics, courtly ambition, and human folly from a new perspective. By reducing the scale of this fictional society, Swift exaggerates its absurdities and flaws, making them more visible and humorous to readers.

Political Satire:

Lilliput is ruled by an emperor and a court of officials whose actions mirror the British political system. Swift mocks the British government's corrupt bureaucracy and favoritism through the absurd manner in which Lilliputians are promoted—by dancing on a tightrope. This represents how politicians gain favor not through merit but through flattery and loyalty to the ruling party.

Religious and Party Divisions:

Swift satirizes the religious and political conflicts in England through the rivalry between the "Big-Endians" and "Little-Endians" — two sects that fight over the correct way to crack an egg. This absurd conflict reflects the real-life divisions between Catholics and Protestants, or between Whigs and Tories, suggesting that such disputes are often petty and driven by pride rather than reason.

War and Imperialism:

The Lilliputians are obsessed with petty wars and conquest, even attempting to invade Blefuscu, a neighboring island. This parodies Britain's imperial ambitions and unnecessary military engagements. Swift criticizes the arrogance of colonial powers who justify their wars with moral superiority while pursuing self-interest.

Human Vanity and Pride:

Gulliver, though a giant in Lilliput, is treated with suspicion, used as a weapon, and ultimately betrayed. This highlights human ingratitude and the dangers of power. It also shows how even the mightiest can be brought low by the jealousy and fear of those in power.

Conclusion:

Through Lilliput, Swift cleverly miniaturizes and magnifies the follies of British politics. The world of tiny people becomes a mirror to human society, exposing its vanity, corruption, and irrational conflicts. Swift’s satire is both humorous and deeply critical, making Gulliver’s Travels a timeless work of political commentary.

বাংলা অনুবাদ:

১. গালিভারের ট্রাভেলস-এ লিলিপুট নামক ক্ষুদ্র জগতের মাধ্যমে ব্রিটিশ রাজনীতি ও সমাজকে কীভাবে ব্যঙ্গ করেছেন জোনাথন সুইফট?

জোনাথন সুইফটের ‘গালিভারের ট্রাভেলস’ (১৭২৬) একটি অনন্য রাজনৈতিক ও সামাজিক ব্যঙ্গগ্রন্থ। উপন্যাসের প্রথম অংশটি লিলিপুট নামক এক ক্ষুদ্র জগতে স্থাপিত, যা সুইফটকে ব্রিটিশ রাজনীতি, রাজদরবারের উচ্চাকাঙ্ক্ষা এবং মানবিক মূর্খতাকে ব্যঙ্গ করার সুযোগ দেয়। এই ক্ষুদ্র জগতের সাহায্যে তিনি সমাজের ত্রুটিগুলিকে অতিরঞ্জিতভাবে দেখিয়ে পাঠকের কাছে তা স্পষ্ট ও হাস্যকর করে তোলেন।

রাজনৈতিক ব্যঙ্গ:

লিলিপুট শাসিত হয় একজন সম্রাট ও তার দরবারের কর্মকর্তাদের দ্বারা, যারা বাস্তবে ব্রিটিশ রাজনৈতিক ব্যবস্থার প্রতিচ্ছবি। কর্মকর্তাদের পদোন্নতির পদ্ধতি—যেমন দড়ির উপর দিয়ে হাঁটাচলা বা লাফানো—সেটি ব্রিটিশ রাজনীতির তোষামোদ ও পক্ষপাতদুষ্টতার ব্যঙ্গচিত্র। এতে বোঝানো হয়েছে, যোগ্যতা নয়, বরং শাসকের প্রতি আনুগত্যই পদোন্নতির মাপকাঠি।

ধর্মীয় ও দলীয় বিভাজন:

লিলিপুটে "বিগ-এন্ডিয়ান" এবং "লিটল-এন্ডিয়ান" নামক দুটি দলের মধ্যে বিরোধ, ডিম ফাটানোর সঠিক পদ্ধতি নিয়ে সংঘাতের মাধ্যমে সুইফট ব্যঙ্গ করেন ইংল্যান্ডের ক্যাথলিক ও প্রোটেস্ট্যান্ট অথবা হুইগ ও টোরিদের মধ্যে চলমান দ্বন্দ্বকে। এই তুচ্ছ বিষয় নিয়ে যুদ্ধ আসলে ইঙ্গিত করে, বাস্তব রাজনৈতিক ও ধর্মীয় সংঘর্ষও অনেক সময় অহংকার ও অযৌক্তিকতার উপর ভিত্তি করে হয়।

যুদ্ধ ও সাম্রাজ্যবাদ:

লিলিপুটবাসীরা তুচ্ছ বিষয়েও যুদ্ধ করে এবং পাশের দ্বীপ ব্লেফাস্কু দখল করতে চায়। এটি ব্রিটেনের সাম্রাজ্যবাদী মনোভাব ও অপ্রয়োজনীয় সামরিক কার্যকলাপের প্রতিচ্ছবি। সুইফট দেখাতে চেয়েছেন, কিভাবে উপনিবেশবাদীরা নিজেদের নৈতিক উচ্চতায় বিশ্বাস করে যুদ্ধ করে, অথচ সেটি আসলে স্বার্থপরতারই বহিঃপ্রকাশ।

মানব অহংকার ও গর্ব:

গালিভার, যদিও লিলিপুটে এক বিশালাকৃতি মানুষ, তবুও তাকে সন্দেহের চোখে দেখা হয়, অস্ত্র হিসেবে ব্যবহার করা হয়, এবং শেষে বিশ্বাসঘাতকতা করা হয়। এর মাধ্যমে বোঝানো হয়েছে, কৃতজ্ঞতা নেই এমন সমাজ কিভাবে ক্ষমতাধারীদের হিংসা ও ভয়ের বশে মহানকেও নিচে নামিয়ে আনে।

উপসংহার:

লিলিপুটের মাধ্যমে সুইফট মানুষের সমাজের ব্যর্থতা ও দুর্নীতিকে ক্ষুদ্র করে তুলে ধরেছেন, যাতে তার আসল চেহারা আরও প্রকট হয়ে ওঠে। এই ক্ষুদ্র মানুষের জগতটি যেন একটি আয়না, যেখানে আমরা আমাদের সমাজের অহংকার, দুর্নীতি ও অযৌক্তিক সংঘর্ষ দেখতে পাই। হাস্যরসের আড়ালে সুইফটের ব্যঙ্গ গভীর ও তীক্ষ্ণ—যার ফলে ‘গালিভারের ট্রাভেলস’ আজও এক কালজয়ী রাজনৈতিক ব্যঙ্গরচনা।

2. How does Olaudah Equiano construct his identity through the narrative? In what ways does he navigate between the African, European and Christian worlds?

Olaudah Equiano’s The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789) is both an autobiography and a powerful anti-slavery document. In it, Equiano constructs a complex identity shaped by his African heritage, European experiences, and Christian faith. His narrative reveals how he navigated these overlapping worlds to assert his dignity, humanity, and moral authority.

African Roots and Early Life:

Equiano begins his narrative with a detailed account of his early life in Africa, emphasizing the richness of Igbo culture and values. By portraying African society as orderly and civilized, he challenges the European notion that Africans were "savages." This part of his narrative affirms his pride in his heritage and sets the stage for understanding what was stolen from him by slavery.

European Experiences and Self-Education:

After being enslaved and transported through the Middle Passage, Equiano gains his freedom and becomes deeply involved in maritime trade. His ability to adapt, learn languages, and acquire navigation skills demonstrates his intellectual abilities and contradicts the racial prejudices of the time. He uses European tools—literacy, reason, and law—to advocate for abolition and to prove his moral and intellectual equality.

Christian Faith:

Christianity plays a central role in Equiano’s identity. His spiritual conversion gives him comfort and a sense of purpose. He uses Christian values to critique the hypocrisy of Christian slave owners who preach love but practice cruelty. Equiano presents himself as a true Christian and contrasts this with the moral failure of the European society that tolerates slavery.

Navigating Multiple Identities:

Throughout the narrative, Equiano skillfully blends his African identity with European manners and Christian belief. He does not reject his origins but uses his hybrid identity to speak to multiple audiences. He appeals to the conscience of Christian readers, the logic of Enlightenment thinkers, and the shared humanity of all people.

Conclusion:

Equiano’s narrative is a powerful self-fashioning tool. Through it, he constructs an identity that bridges cultures and challenges the dehumanizing logic of slavery. His life becomes a testimony to the potential of freedom, education, and faith to overcome oppression and to redefine what it means to be human.

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3. How does Gray reflect on death and the universality of mortality in Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard?

Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (1751) is one of the most reflective and moving poems of the 18th century. It meditates on death, the passage of time, and the common fate that unites all people, regardless of social status. Through the setting of a rural graveyard, Gray contemplates the lives of the poor and emphasizes the universality of mortality.

Setting and Tone:

The poem opens with a tranquil rural scene as evening falls over a country churchyard. This calm and solemn setting invites quiet reflection. The tone is melancholic and meditative, encouraging readers to think about life’s fleeting nature and the inevitability of death.

Universality of Death:

Gray emphasizes that death comes for everyone—rich or poor, powerful or humble. The graves in the churchyard belong to simple, unknown villagers whose lives were filled with quiet labor. He reminds the reader that greatness does not save one from mortality: “The paths of glory lead but to the grave.”

Value of Ordinary Lives:

One of the most radical aspects of the poem is Gray’s sympathy for the poor. He acknowledges that these villagers had potential that went unfulfilled not because of laziness or inferiority, but because of social constraints. He writes that some among them might have been great poets or leaders if only they had the opportunity. This challenges the notion that only the wealthy deserve remembrance.

The Illusion of Fame and Wealth:

Gray critiques the human desire for fame, wealth, and power by showing how all such achievements are rendered meaningless by death. Tombs and monuments cannot protect one from oblivion. Instead, he suggests that modest virtues and quiet lives have their own dignity.

Personal Reflection and Humility:

In the final stanzas, Gray imagines his own death and how he might be remembered. This shift from general reflection to personal meditation adds emotional depth. He expresses a desire to be remembered not for grand achievements, but for his sincerity and empathy.

Conclusion:

Gray’s Elegy is a profound reflection on mortality and the shared human experience of death. It elevates the common man and questions social privilege. The poem’s universal themes and gentle moral wisdom have made it a lasting meditation on the dignity of all human life.

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4. In what ways does satire function as a tool of social and political critique in 18th Century British literature?

Satire played a crucial role in 18th-century British literature as a means to criticize social injustice, political corruption, and human folly. Writers like Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, and Henry Fielding used humor, irony, exaggeration, and parody to expose the flaws of society and provoke thought and reform.

Critique of Politics and Power:

Satirists attacked the incompetence and corruption of politicians and monarchs. For example, Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels mocks the petty conflicts and absurd rituals of political life, revealing the shallowness of party divisions and imperial ambition. Satire offered a safe, indirect way to criticize powerful institutions without risking direct confrontation.

Moral and Social Commentary:

Writers used satire to highlight the gap between appearance and reality. Pope’s The Rape of the Lock exposes the triviality of aristocratic life, where vanity and gossip take the place of virtue and reason. Satire targeted the growing materialism and moral decline of the upper classes, urging a return to sincerity and virtue.

Criticism of Intellectual and Religious Hypocrisy:

Satire often took aim at the misuse of reason and the pretentiousness of scholars, scientists, and clergymen. Swift’s A Tale of a Tub and The Battle of the Books question the blind authority of tradition and the conflicts between ancient and modern learning. Religious hypocrisy was also mocked, especially the contrast between Christian teachings and the behavior of so-called devout individuals.

Advocacy for Reform and Enlightenment Ideals:

Satirists were often aligned with Enlightenment values such as reason, tolerance, and justice. They used wit to question outdated traditions and promote progress. Fielding’s novels, such as Joseph Andrews, use satire to attack false morality and celebrate common sense and goodness.

Engagement with the Reader:

Satire requires active interpretation, encouraging readers to think critically. It often includes irony, where the literal meaning is different from the intended meaning, making the reader a participant in the act of critique.

Conclusion:

In 18th-century British literature, satire served as both entertainment and a powerful instrument of critique. It allowed writers to challenge authority, question social norms, and advocate for a more rational and just society. Satire’s blend of wit and wisdom made it one of the most effective literary forms of the Enlightenment period.

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MJC – 6

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1. How does Wordsworth portray childhood as a privileged state in the Immortality Ode? What role does memory play in accessing that state?

In Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Early Childhood, William Wordsworth presents childhood as a uniquely blessed and elevated stage of life. The poem reflects his Romantic philosophy that children possess a divine connection to nature and the spiritual realm, a connection that fades with age but is not entirely lost.

Childhood as a Sacred Time:

Wordsworth famously declares that “Heaven lies about us in our infancy,” suggesting that the child has an intuitive awareness of the divine. The child’s vision is not limited by worldly concerns and is open to the beauty and sublimity of nature. This makes childhood a time of imaginative richness, purity, and spiritual insight.

Loss of Vision with Age:

As individuals grow older, they become burdened by responsibilities, societal norms, and rational thought, which dull their spiritual sensitivity. Wordsworth laments the fading of this visionary gleam, as “the things which I have seen I now can see no more.”

The Role of Memory:

Despite the loss, memory becomes the bridge to childhood’s sacred vision. Wordsworth uses memory to recover the emotional depth and spiritual richness of his early experiences. Through recollection, he is able to feel again the “glory” that once surrounded him. Memory thus functions as a restorative force, allowing the adult poet to remain connected to his earlier self.

Nature as a Guide:

Even if the initial intensity of the child’s vision is gone, nature continues to nourish the soul. The poet finds comfort in the “philosophic mind” that replaces youthful exuberance. Nature becomes a moral teacher, and the poet matures into someone who gains strength and wisdom through reflection.

Conclusion:

Wordsworth’s Immortality Ode elevates childhood as a privileged spiritual state, while also recognizing the necessity of aging and loss. Through memory, he retains fragments of that divine past, allowing him to live meaningfully even in maturity. The poem is a beautiful meditation on growth, loss, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

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2. How does Shelley use the west wind as a symbol of both destruction and regeneration? What does this duality suggest about nature and change?

In Ode to the West Wind, Percy Bysshe Shelley uses the west wind as a powerful and multifaceted symbol of transformation. The wind becomes a metaphor for the forces of destruction and regeneration that govern both nature and human life.

Destruction:

Shelley begins the poem by describing the west wind as a “breath of Autumn’s being,” which drives away dead leaves like “ghosts.” This destructive force is necessary for clearing the old to make way for the new. The wind also stirs up storms and sea waves, symbolizing chaos and upheaval.

Regeneration:

Alongside destruction, the west wind also carries seeds to their winter rest, ensuring their rebirth in spring. This dual role highlights the wind as an agent of renewal. Shelley presents the cycles of nature—death followed by rebirth—as essential and inevitable.

Symbol of Revolutionary Change:

Shelley, a radical thinker, extends this natural symbolism to social and political change. He wishes that the west wind could become his “spirit,” enabling him to spread revolutionary ideas as the wind scatters “my words among mankind.” The wind, then, becomes a symbol of poetic inspiration and change.

Personal Renewal:

The poet sees himself as “chained and bowed,” burdened by suffering and despair. He pleads with the wind to lift him “as a wave, a leaf, a cloud.” Shelley’s personal desire for renewal mirrors nature’s cycles. He hopes that, just as spring follows winter, personal and social rejuvenation can follow sorrow.

Conclusion:

Shelley’s use of the west wind illustrates the natural law of destruction followed by regeneration. The poem reflects his Romantic belief in the creative power of change, the interconnectedness of nature and the self, and the hope for both personal and political transformation.

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3. What are the central features of Romantic Literature? How do they differ from Neoclassical literary traditions?

Romantic literature emerged in the late 18th century as a reaction against the rationalism and order of the Neoclassical age. It celebrated emotion, imagination, and individual experience over logic and restraint. Romanticism marked a shift in values, aesthetics, and subjects in literature.

Central Features of Romantic Literature:

1. Emphasis on Emotion and Imagination:

Romantics valued feeling over reason. Works like Wordsworth’s Lyrical Ballads emphasized spontaneous emotion and deep subjectivity.

2. Love for Nature:

Nature was seen not just as a backdrop but as a living presence. Poets like Wordsworth and Shelley saw nature as a source of inspiration, healing, and spiritual insight.

3. Interest in Childhood and Innocence:

Romantic writers idealized childhood as a time of purity and deeper spiritual connection, as seen in Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Wordsworth’s Immortality Ode.

4. Individualism and the Supernatural:

Romantics often focused on individual experience, inner turmoil, and the mysterious aspects of life. They were fascinated with dreams, the supernatural, and the sublime.

5. Critique of Industrialization:

Romantics reacted against the mechanization of life and the loss of connection with nature due to the Industrial Revolution.

Differences from Neoclassical Traditions:

• Emotion vs. Reason:

Neoclassicism emphasized logic, order, and decorum, drawing inspiration from classical antiquity. Romantics emphasized emotional intensity and personal vision.

• Form vs. Freedom:

Neoclassical writers followed strict poetic forms and rules. Romantics broke free from rigid structures and embraced lyrical and expressive forms.

• Urban vs. Rural Themes:

Neoclassical literature often focused on urban society and aristocratic life. Romantic literature turned to rural settings, nature, and the common man.

• Satire vs. Lyricism:

Neoclassical writers like Pope used satire to critique society. Romantics preferred lyrical and introspective poetry that explored the soul.

Conclusion:

Romanticism marked a literary revolution that celebrated creativity, nature, and emotional truth. It stood in direct contrast to Neoclassicism’s focus on rationalism and tradition, ushering in a new era of literary exploration.

MJC – 7

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1. How does The Last Ride Together exemplify Browning’s use of the dramatic monologue? What insights do we gain about the speaker through his speech?

Robert Browning’s The Last Ride Together is a quintessential example of the dramatic monologue, a form he helped to perfect. In the poem, Browning presents the thoughts and emotions of a rejected lover who gains a final ride with his beloved. Through this interior monologue, the reader gains deep psychological insight into the speaker’s mind.

Features of Dramatic Monologue:

The poem has a single speaker, an implied silent listener (the beloved), and a dramatic situation—the aftermath of a failed love affair. The speaker reflects on his rejection, his desires, and his philosophical thoughts about life and success.

Speaker’s Attitude:

The speaker initially experiences pain at being rejected but quickly shifts to acceptance and even gratitude. He cherishes the "last ride" as a profound, almost sacred experience. His speech reveals a man who values emotional fulfillment over societal definitions of success.

Philosophical Musings:

The speaker rationalizes his failure in love by comparing it to other forms of human endeavor—politics, art, war—which also often end in incompletion or disappointment. This philosophical attitude helps him find peace and dignity in his experience.

Romantic Idealism:

Rather than expressing bitterness, the speaker romanticizes the moment. He sees love as a noble pursuit, even if it fails. His imagination turns the ride into a metaphor for the journey of life itself, where the process is more important than the outcome.

Insight into the Speaker:

The poem shows the speaker to be introspective, thoughtful, and capable of transforming personal loss into spiritual gain. His graceful acceptance and romantic optimism reflect Browning’s interest in the inner resilience of the human spirit.

Conclusion:

The Last Ride Together is a powerful dramatic monologue that explores the psychology of a rejected lover with philosophical depth. Through the speaker’s reflections, Browning reveals how love and failure can still lead to emotional transcendence and insight.

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2. How do Victorian writers grapple with the crisis of faith brought about by scientific progress and industrial revolution?

Victorian writers found themselves in a period of profound transformation, marked by scientific advancement, industrial expansion, and social change. These developments led to a "crisis of faith" as traditional religious beliefs were challenged. Literature became a platform for expressing doubt, searching for meaning, and confronting the uncertainties of the age.

Impact of Scientific Discoveries:

The publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (1859) questioned the biblical account of creation and introduced evolutionary theory. Writers like Matthew Arnold and Tennyson wrestled with the implications of these discoveries. In Dover Beach, Arnold laments the retreat of religious certainty and the rising “melancholy, long, withdrawing roar” of faith.

Industrial Revolution and Alienation:

Industrialization led to urbanization, pollution, and the dehumanization of labor. Writers like Charles Dickens depicted the harsh realities of factory life and the alienation of the working class. The loss of rural simplicity and spiritual connectedness was deeply felt.

Moral Uncertainty and Doubt:

Tennyson’s In Memoriam A.H.H. reflects deep personal and philosophical questioning in the face of death and change. While it ends on a note of faith, much of the poem is filled with doubt and inner conflict.

Search for New Beliefs:

Some writers turned to art, love, or nature as substitutes for lost religious belief. Others, like Thomas Hardy, portrayed a bleak, deterministic universe in which fate and chance replace divine providence.

Conclusion:

Victorian literature is marked by a deep engagement with the crisis of faith. Through poetry, fiction, and essays, writers explored the tension between science and religion, hope and despair. This struggle became a defining feature of the literature of the age, capturing the complexity of human belief in a rapidly changing world.

MJC – 8

1. How does Hemingway portray the theme of human struggle and endurance in The Old Man and the Sea? What does Santiago’s battle with the marlin symbolize?

Ernest Hemingway’s novella The Old Man and the Sea is a powerful exploration of human struggle, endurance, and the indomitable spirit. Santiago, the old fisherman, becomes a symbol of human perseverance in the face of defeat and nature’s might.

Struggle Against Nature:

Santiago engages in an epic battle with a giant marlin, reflecting the struggle between man and the natural world. Despite his age and physical limitations, Santiago refuses to give up. This struggle highlights human resilience and the willingness to fight for dignity, even when victory seems uncertain.

Endurance and Stoicism:

Throughout the ordeal, Santiago endures hunger, pain, and exhaustion without complaint. His inner strength and calm acceptance of suffering show Hemingway’s ideal of the “code hero”—a person who maintains grace under pressure.

The Marlin as a Symbol:

The marlin is not merely a prize catch but a noble adversary. Santiago admires its beauty and strength, seeing it as a worthy opponent. This mutual respect turns the battle into a spiritual and existential encounter, symbolizing the deeper meaning behind struggle—where honor lies not in victory, but in effort.

Symbolism of the Lions and Dreams:

Santiago dreams of lions, symbolizing his youthful strength and hope. These dreams sustain him, showing that human endurance is as much psychological as physical.

Defeat and Triumph:

Though Santiago loses the marlin to sharks, he returns with the marlin’s skeleton—proof of his strength and courage. The townspeople admire his effort, suggesting that true success lies in the nobility of struggle, not material gain.

Conclusion:

The Old Man and the Sea is a moving tribute to human endurance. Santiago’s battle with the marlin becomes a metaphor for life’s struggles, emphasizing the themes of courage, honor, and spiritual victory over physical defeat.

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2. How does Dry September depict cultural violence and racial injustice in the American South? In what ways does the story critique mob mentality?

William Faulkner’s short story Dry September is a powerful critique of racial injustice and the destructive effects of mob violence in the American South. Set in a small town, the story revolves around the false accusation made by a white woman, Miss Minnie Cooper, against a Black man, Will Mayes.

Racial Injustice:

The story exposes how deeply racism is rooted in Southern society. Will Mayes is presumed guilty without evidence, simply because of his race. The white townspeople are quick to act on their prejudice, revealing the fragility of justice in a racially divided society.

Cultural Violence:

Faulkner shows how violence is not just physical but cultural and psychological. The South’s code of honor and racial superiority perpetuates a system where violence is justified to maintain social order. Will Mayes becomes a scapegoat for the community’s frustrations.

Mob Mentality:

The story portrays how ordinary men become part of a violent mob, abandoning reason and morality. The leader of the mob, McLendon, acts out of pride and aggression, and the others follow without questioning. This shows how easily people surrender individual responsibility in favor of collective violence.

Miss Minnie’s Role:

Miss Minnie is a complex character. Her accusation may be motivated by loneliness, delusion, or a need to protect her reputation. Faulkner presents her not simply as a liar but as a product of a society that marginalizes women and demands racial conformity.

Psychological Impact:

The story ends with Miss Minnie returning to her empty house and McLendon behaving abusively toward his wife, showing that violence damages everyone involved—perpetrators, victims, and even bystanders.

Conclusion:

Dry September is a searing indictment of the racial and cultural violence of the American South. Faulkner critiques the mob mentality that enables injustice and explores how deeply rooted prejudice dehumanizes both victims and aggressors alike.