The Reivers - William Faulkner

Summary

"The Reivers" is a picaresque novel set in Mississippi in 1905, narrated by an elderly Lucius Priest, recalling his adventurous summer as an 11-year-old boy. When his grandfather's family leaves for a funeral, Lucius seizes the opportunity to "borrow" his grandfather's cutting-edge Winton Flyer automobile, the first in the county, for a trip to Memphis. He is accompanied by Boon Hogganbeck, a loyal but impulsive family employee, and Ned William McCaslin, a shrewd Black stable hand. Their journey quickly devolves into a series of comedic misadventures, including a visit to a brothel, the unexpected trade of the Winton for a stolen racehorse, a mad dash to participate in a fixed horse race to win back the car, and encounters with a colorful cast of characters. Through these experiences, Lucius loses some of his innocence but gains invaluable lessons about honor, morality, and the complexities of the adult world, all while attempting to return the car before his grandfather discovers its absence.

Book Sections

Section 1

The story begins in Jefferson, Mississippi, in 1905, introducing eleven-year-old Lucius Priest, whose grandfather, Boss Priest, has just acquired the county's first automobile, a magnificent yellow Winton Flyer. Lucius is fascinated by the car, as is Boon Hogganbeck, a devoted but somewhat reckless employee of the family. When Boss Priest and the rest of the family depart for a funeral in another town, Boon convinces Lucius that they should take the Winton Flyer to Memphis. Lucius, initially hesitant due to his ingrained sense of honor and fear of his grandfather, is eventually swayed by the lure of adventure and Boon's insistence that they're merely "borrowing" the car. Ned William McCaslin, a cunning Black stable hand, discovers their plan and, much to Boon's chagrin, insists on joining them, becoming an unexpected third member of the reivers. Ned, with his quiet intelligence and seemingly effortless ability to manipulate situations, immediately takes control of the expedition's practicalities, much to the exasperation of Boon.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Lucius Priest	11-year-old, innocent, observant, developing sense of morality, curious, intelligent, from a respectable family.	Seeking adventure, escaping boredom, understanding the adult world, proving himself, driven by a mixture of curiosity and youthful recklessness.
Boon Hogganbeck	Impulsive, loyal, hot-headed, protective, somewhat childish, devoted to the Winton Flyer and his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Corrie.	Desire for the Winton Flyer, escaping responsibility, fulfilling his romantic pursuit of Corrie in Memphis, a general longing for excitement and freedom from daily routines.
Ned William McCaslin	Shrewd, intelligent, resourceful, calm, manipulative, good with horses, pragmatic, enjoys the thrill of a good scheme.	Gambling, personal gain (initially), enjoying the thrill of the scheme, helping Lucius and Boon (in his own way), demonstrating his cleverness and resourcefulness.
Grandfather (Boss Priest)	Stern, respected, fair, wealthy, pillar of the community, ultimately understanding and wise.	Maintaining order, upholding family reputation, imparting wisdom, caring for his grandson, valuing his possessions (like the Winton).

Section 2

The trio embarks on their journey to Memphis in the bright yellow Winton Flyer. The car, a marvel of modern technology, proves to be both a source of pride and constant mechanical challenge. The trip is slow, punctuated by frequent stops for repairs and the need to navigate the rudimentary roads of the era. Along the way, Lucius observes the world outside his sheltered upbringing, witnessing the diverse landscapes and people of rural Mississippi. He begins to understand the dynamic between Boon and Ned, as Ned's quiet authority increasingly asserts itself over Boon's bluster. Despite Boon's initial resistance to Ned's presence, the three form an unlikely bond forged by the shared adventure and the challenges of the road. Lucius's innocence is gently tested by minor incidents and the burgeoning realization that the world is far larger and more complex than he imagined.

Section 3

Upon arriving in Memphis, Boon immediately takes Lucius to Miss Corrie's, a brothel where Corrie, Boon's on-again, off-again lover, works. Lucius is, of course, completely bewildered by the situation and the nature of the establishment. Corrie, a prostitute with a pragmatic outlook and a kind heart, quickly takes Lucius under her wing, trying to shield him from the more sordid aspects of her profession while also attempting to educate him about the world in her own way. She makes sure Lucius is fed and comfortable, and even tries to impart some wisdom about life. However, Corrie's current pimp, Otis, is an unpleasant and aggressive man who resents Boon's presence and the disruptions it causes. Otis's volatile nature creates tension in the brothel, adding an element of danger to Lucius's already bewildering experience.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Miss Corrie	Prostitute, kind-hearted, pragmatic, protective of Lucius, intelligent, longs for a respectable life, devoted to her son.	Finding stability, caring for her son (Polly), escaping her profession, finding a suitable partner (Boon), a desire for respectability and a better future.
Otis	Crude, opportunistic, violent, resentful, a pimp/associate, prone to jealousy and aggression.	Financial gain, asserting dominance over Corrie and others, exploiting situations, resenting Boon's interference and potential threat to his control.

Section 4

The situation takes an unexpected turn when Ned, without consulting Boon or Lucius, gambles away the Winton Flyer in a game of chance. He trades the car to a man named Mr. Binford for a racehorse named Coppermine, which Ned claims is a champion but turns out to be a rather ordinary looking, if high-spirited, animal. Boon is furious, seeing his beloved car gone, while Lucius is horrified by the implications of losing his grandfather's prized possession. Ned, however, remains calm and confident, explaining that he plans to race Coppermine to win back the Winton Flyer, along with some additional money. The catch is that Coppermine is a "ringer"—a horse whose identity needs to be concealed to allow for a favorable betting outcome. This audacious plan plunges the trio into a deeper entanglement, as they must now travel to Parsham to arrange the horse race, navigating the complexities of the rural gambling world.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Mr. Binford	Owner of the racehorse (Coppermine), willing to gamble, somewhat desperate but also shrewd in his dealings.	Winning races, earning money, getting a good deal (initially acquiring the Winton), participating in the underground world of horse racing and betting.

Section 5

The scene shifts to Parsham, where Ned's elaborate scheme unfolds. The goal is to race Coppermine (disguised as another horse) against a favored local champion, ensuring that Coppermine wins to earn enough money to retrieve the Winton Flyer. To facilitate this, Ned enlists the help of Everbe Corinthia, another prostitute and friend of Corrie's. Everbe's role is crucial in creating diversions and distractions. The trio, along with Corrie and her young son Polly (who has joined them from Memphis), finds themselves immersed in the world of fixed horse races, local gamblers, and shady dealings. Lucius, despite his youth, becomes an active participant in the plan, often acting as a decoy or messenger. He also witnesses Boon's struggles with his feelings for Corrie and his growing frustration with Ned's constant manipulations. The preparations are fraught with tension and close calls, as they try to keep Coppermine's true identity a secret from the skeptical locals and the rival coachman.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Everbe Corinthia	Prostitute, friend of Corrie, pragmatic, supportive, resourceful, helps with the scheme, good-natured.	Helping Corrie and her friends, participating in the excitement, potential financial gain from the betting, demonstrating her loyalty and resourcefulness.
Coachman	Antagonist in the race, competitive, arrogant, often deceitful, represents the established local racing interests.	Winning the race, protecting his reputation, gaining money and prestige for his horse, maintaining his position in the local racing community, ensuring his horse is the favored bet.
Polly	Young son of Corrie, innocent, observant, quiet, present throughout much of the adventure as a child observer.	Simply being present, an innocent bystander, serves as a focal point for Corrie's protective instincts and her desire for a better life. His presence often highlights the incongruity of Lucius's situation.

Section 6

The climactic horse race takes place. Coppermine, ridden by Ned, is pitted against the local champion. The race is a thrilling and tense affair, filled with twists and turns. Ned's expertise as a horseman, combined with his cunning, allows Coppermine to perform beyond expectations. The fixed nature of the race, orchestrated by Ned's manipulations and diversions, creates a chaotic atmosphere. Lucius, Boon, Corrie, and Everbe are all deeply invested in the outcome, their fate hanging on Coppermine's speed. Despite challenges from the rival coachman and skepticism from the crowd, Coppermine ultimately wins the race, securing enough money to buy back the Winton Flyer and even turn a profit. The victory is a moment of triumph for the unlikely group, though it comes with a complex mix of satisfaction and the realization of the moral ambiguities involved.

Section 7

With the Winton Flyer recovered, the trio begins their journey back to Jefferson, their adventure drawing to a close. The trip back is less eventful but more reflective. Lucius is no longer the same innocent boy who left home. He has witnessed the complexities of the adult world, the gray areas of morality, and the resilience of human nature. Upon their return, Lucius faces his grandfather, Boss Priest, who has already discovered the car's absence. Instead of a severe punishment, Boss Priest engages Lucius in a profound conversation about honor, responsibility, and the nature of good and evil. He explains that while Lucius broke a rule, he also showed courage and loyalty. Boss Priest emphasizes that true honor comes from understanding one's actions and living with the consequences, rather than simply avoiding wrongdoing. Lucius, having endured his rites of passage, begins to understand the nuances of right and wrong, accepting that sometimes, even good intentions can lead to complicated situations, and that one must always "take care of your own."

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Literary Genre

Picaresque, Coming-of-Age, Southern Gothic (though lighter in tone than much of Faulkner's work), Humorous Fiction.

Author Facts

• William Faulkner (1897-1962) was an American writer, widely regarded as one of the most important writers of the Southern literature of the United States.
• He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949 (awarded in 1950) "for his powerful and artistically unique contribution to the modern American novel."
• Much of his work is set in Yoknapatawpha County, a fictional county based on Lafayette County, Mississippi, where he spent most of his life. 'The Reivers' is also set here.
• He was also a Pulitzer Prize winner, first for 'A Fable' (1954) and posthumously for 'The Reivers' (1962).
• Faulkner was known for his experimental narrative techniques, including stream of consciousness, multiple narrators, and complex sentence structures, although 'The Reivers' is notably more linear and accessible.

Morale

The central morale of "The Reivers" is the transition from childhood innocence to a nuanced understanding of the adult world's moral complexities. It emphasizes that while strict adherence to rules is important, true honor and integrity come from facing the consequences of one's actions, learning from mistakes, and taking responsibility for those one cares about. Grandfather's final counsel to Lucius, "A man don't have to wait until he's hurt to find out he's brave," and "You're wrong, and you're not going to be able to forget it, and you're not going to be allowed to forget it. But you're going to use it," highlights that experience, even painful or morally ambiguous experience, can be a crucial teacher. The book suggests that life is full of gray areas, and that wisdom involves navigating these complexities with compassion, resourcefulness, and a sense of duty to one's fellows.

Curiosities

• Faulkner's Last Novel: "The Reivers" was William Faulkner's last novel, published in 1962, the year of his death.
• Prizewinning Finale: It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1963, awarded posthumously.
• Atypical Faulkner: Compared to his earlier, often dark and complex works like 'The Sound and the Fury' or 'Absalom, Absalom!', 'The Reivers' is notably light-hearted, comedic, and linear in its narrative. It's often considered his most accessible novel.
• Autobiographical Elements: Many critics believe the story contains strong autobiographical elements, reflecting Faulkner's own youthful experiences and his fascination with early automobiles and the changing South. The character of Lucius Priest is thought to be a stand-in for a young Faulkner.
• Film Adaptation: The novel was adapted into a film in 1969 starring Steve McQueen as Boon Hogganbeck.
• A "Fable" for the End: Some see 'The Reivers' as a kind of optimistic counterpoint to Faulkner's earlier, more pessimistic 'A Fable', exploring themes of redemption and human endurance through a different, lighter lens.
• The Winton Flyer: The yellow Winton Flyer is more than just a car; it symbolizes progress, adventure, and the disruption of traditional Southern life in the early 20th century.