Go Down, Moses

It’s time for some short story reading!  Go Down, Moses by William Faulkner is a collection of seven short stories, and yes the famous one, "The Bear," is included.  The collection of stories was first printed in a magazine but later put together to be read as a cohesive, albeit “over the years” history within the McCaslin family.  The first story, set in the late 1850s, is called “Was” and sets the story for the main character that seemingly is the “through line” for the book, “Ike” McCaslin, who is born through the matrimony of his parents, Uncle Buck and Sophonsiba Beauchamp, at the time of the slave days of the Deep South.  Depicting  life on the plantation and the struggles with illegal distillery, the hidden monies on the land, gambling, hunting for Old Ben in “The Bear,” understanding family history/life and concluding with the white/black struggle during the intended execution of  Samuel Beauchamp, each story captures a time that was real and controversial.  Faulkner’s prose captures a number of high points through his stories, such as the plight of African Americans during this time of American history and the spiritual dimension of the wilderness (man vs. the wild).  While it is a hard set of readings to put together over such a large period of time, Faulkner’s characters, stories, and wisdom of real life, make them interesting, funny at times, sad at others, but with a depth of humanity that few can reach.  His “stream of consciousness” style of prose is not necessarily alluring to all.  He is a true American poet to be read to better understand the American story.  While I began my reading of the stories in reverse order (until I realized they “went together” somewhat), I had a better understanding for the humor, the sadness, and the vastness of our wilderness, which we seem to be losing each day.  I would not begin to say I am an expert on analyzing these series of stories, I did enjoy the depth at which the author wanted to get me as a reader.  Brilliant writer and should be lauded for his capturing of the human emotion and story worth telling of the times.  A classic read!