Light in August, Ch. 15-16

1. paramour (page 364): willingly, for the sake of love.

2. In this section a couple named the Hineses are introduced, they have lived in Mottstown for years. Doc Hines used to hold a job in Memphis, although nobody knows what it is. He preaches at a black church, and sends the message that they should just accept the fact that they are inferior to whites. The Hineses are only able to eat because black women take pity on them and send food to their house. On the day that Joe Christmas is captured Doc Hines comes up to him and tries to hit him with his cane, although he does not succeed. Mrs. Hines and several other people in the town begin to speculate about the possibility of Doc Hines and Joe Christmas having met before. Mrs. Hines then asks whatever happen to a baby that belonged to a woman named Milly. The town is talking about Christmas' capture and Doc Hines behavior when he demanded that Christmas be killed immediately instead of being taken to Jefferson. Mrs. Hines then goes to visit Joe in jail but it is too late, he is being hauled off to Jefferson. They try to have a car take them to Jefferson, but it is too expensive so instead they catch a train. Byron arrives to tell Hightower that Joe Christmas has been found, and finds him sleeping in a yard. Hightower says he is taking advantage of the situation so Byron leaves and returns with the Hineses. They are revealed to be Joe's grandparents and Doc Hines talks only of his daughter Milly's sins and mistakes. Milly tried to run off with a man who lied about his black roots, but Doc shot and killed him, and also tried to find a doctor that would abort Milly's baby. Because of this he found a church where he could preach of the evil blacks. Milly died while giving birth to Joe, leaving the Hineses to take care of the baby. One day, they found a note saying that the baby was gone. It turns out that Doc took him to an orphanage to live while he worked there, when questioned about it he told his wife that the child was dead. Meanwhile, Byron asks Hightower to lie and say that he was with Christmas on the night of the murder.

3. I find this section very interesting because Hightower who has isolated himself all throughout the novel is now involving himself with all of the other characters. The other characters however, are all very individualistic people. They are only concerned about themselves as opposed to being collectivistic and caring about their community as a whole. Hightower has befriended Byron and helped him through his love with Lena, and also he was there for Lena when it was deliver the baby. Hightower realizes that while living in the town of Jefferson, there is no way to avoid suffering. Therefore is Faulkner foreshadowing to his death and saying that he finally accepted life and found peace right before his end?



4. a) What caused Hightower to suddenly find his peace and no longer deny himself of the opportunity of life?

b) Does Byron really love Lena? Or does he desire to be the hero of Lena who he perceives as a damsel in distress?

c) Why does Byron ask Hightower to lie and say that he was with Joe Christmas when the murder took place?