I'm definitely a fan of this one, Bob. Existing Faulkner readers will recognize the "count, no count" ironies and contrasts of his life and fiction. Sports fans new to his writing are very likely to be intrigued enough to seek more details... and contributing to the birth of a new Faulknerian is its own kind of joy!
For me, the most accurate and interesting statement made in this essay, for both Faulkner vets and new recruits:
"Looked at in the totality of Faulkner’s life, fox hunting plays a significant role in what appears to be Faulkner’s desire to belong to the class of the landed gentry or squirearchy."
Also for me, the most poignant Faulkner-fiction reference in this essay is to Bayard in Flags. What desperate, unmanageable grief that young man was stuck stagnant in. 😢 It is significant that once he had lost everything ("everything" to him), he went on auto-pilot back to a physical environment and people that comforted him. This is an emotionally sharp scene in the Yoknapatawpha world, but you also present the more humorous side (albeit often dark humor) with "Fox Hunt" and The Reivers.
📝Note: I found a short article online for The Horse Review, dated January 7, 2020 and "compiled by" Nancy Brannon. Title: "Faulkner and Foxhunting". The target audience is for horse and hunting enthusiasts, and it is an enjoyable introduction to WF for that market. I believe that Nancy Brannon is the second generation owner of Brannon Stables in Georgetown, KY. Personally, I'm curious to know what prompted this article from her and / or the magazine. 🤔
Many thanks, Cheryl, for your insightful comments. You know your Faulkner, and I'm pleased that you picked up on the main points of my essay, especially Faulkner's desire to recover the lost social status of his family.
I'm definitely a fan of this one, Bob. Existing Faulkner readers will recognize the "count, no count" ironies and contrasts of his life and fiction. Sports fans new to his writing are very likely to be intrigued enough to seek more details... and contributing to the birth of a new Faulknerian is its own kind of joy!
For me, the most accurate and interesting statement made in this essay, for both Faulkner vets and new recruits:
"Looked at in the totality of Faulkner’s life, fox hunting plays a significant role in what appears to be Faulkner’s desire to belong to the class of the landed gentry or squirearchy."
Also for me, the most poignant Faulkner-fiction reference in this essay is to Bayard in Flags. What desperate, unmanageable grief that young man was stuck stagnant in. 😢 It is significant that once he had lost everything ("everything" to him), he went on auto-pilot back to a physical environment and people that comforted him. This is an emotionally sharp scene in the Yoknapatawpha world, but you also present the more humorous side (albeit often dark humor) with "Fox Hunt" and The Reivers.
📝Note: I found a short article online for The Horse Review, dated January 7, 2020 and "compiled by" Nancy Brannon. Title: "Faulkner and Foxhunting". The target audience is for horse and hunting enthusiasts, and it is an enjoyable introduction to WF for that market. I believe that Nancy Brannon is the second generation owner of Brannon Stables in Georgetown, KY. Personally, I'm curious to know what prompted this article from her and / or the magazine. 🤔
Brannon 2020 Article:
https://midsouthhorsereview.com/article/7149
Brannon Stables fire:
https://www.lex18.com/news/brannon-stables-in-georgetown-burns-down
Many thanks, Cheryl, for your insightful comments. You know your Faulkner, and I'm pleased that you picked up on the main points of my essay, especially Faulkner's desire to recover the lost social status of his family.