Sartoris - William Faulkner

Summary

Sartoris (later revised and published as Flags in the Dust) tells the story of the Sartoris family, a proud aristocratic lineage from Jefferson, Mississippi, in the aftermath of World War I. The novel centers on young Bayard Sartoris, a war-hero pilot returning home profoundly traumatized and burdened by survivor's guilt after his twin brother, John, was killed in action. His return marks the beginning of a relentless cycle of self-destructive behavior, fueled by a craving for danger and an inability to reconcile with civilian life or his family's expectations, particularly those of his aging grandfather, old Bayard Sartoris, and his formidable great-aunt, Miss Jenny Du Pre. The narrative explores themes of Southern aristocracy, the lingering effects of war, the clash between tradition and modernity, and the inexorable pull of a tragic family legacy. Young Bayard’s recklessness leads to the death of his grandfather, a brief and troubled marriage to the town's gentle beauty, Narcissa Benbow, and ultimately, his own demise, leaving behind a new generation to inherit the complex weight of the Sartoris name.

Book Sections

Section 1

The novel opens with the return of young Bayard Sartoris from World War I. He is a celebrated hero but deeply scarred by the war, particularly by the death of his twin brother, John, who was killed while flying. Bayard immediately exhibits a restless, reckless spirit, driving cars at dangerous speeds and engaging in risky activities, much to the exasperation of his wise and sharp-tongued great-aunt, Miss Jenny Du Pre. His grandfather, old Bayard Sartoris, a respected figure and former Confederate cavalryman, struggles to understand his grandson's modern recklessness, seeing it as a perversion of the family's code of honor and bravery. The Sartoris household is also home to Simon and Caspey, two Black servants whose long-standing relationship with the family provides a contrasting perspective on the changing times and the unchanging nature of the Sartoris clan. We are introduced to Narcissa Benbow, a beautiful and gentle young woman, and her brother Horace, a sensitive and somewhat effeminate man, who become entangled with Bayard and the Sartoris family.

Character Name	Characteristics	Motivations
Young Bayard	Handsome, reckless, deeply traumatized WWI pilot, burdened by survivor's guilt, seeks danger and oblivion.	To escape the pain of his brother's death and the trauma of war; to defy the constraints of civilian life; perhaps unconsciously, to fulfill a perceived Sartoris destiny of tragic heroism.
Old Bayard Sartoris	Patriarch of the Sartoris family, stern, honorable, a Confederate war hero, proud but bewildered by modern changes.	To maintain the Sartoris legacy and traditions; to understand and rein in his grandson's self-destructive behavior; to preserve the honor of his family.
Miss Jenny Du Pre	Sharp-witted, pragmatic, matriarchal figure, old Bayard's sister, the practical backbone of the family.	To keep the Sartoris family, particularly young Bayard, alive and functional; to offer a voice of reason and experience; to preserve family integrity through common sense rather than romantic idealism.
Narcissa Benbow	Beautiful, gentle, reserved, somewhat fragile, an object of fascination for Bayard and a symbol of traditional Southern womanhood.	To find security and affection; to navigate her complex feelings for Bayard; perhaps a desire to tame or save him.
Horace Benbow	Narcissa's brother, sensitive, artistic, intellectual, somewhat detached from the rougher aspects of Southern life.	To pursue his artistic interests (glass blowing); to protect his sister; to find a sense of belonging or purpose outside of the conventional Southern male role.
Simon	Loyal, aged Black servant of the Sartoris family, a steady presence in the household.	To serve the Sartoris family out of a deep-seated loyalty and connection to their history; to maintain the household routine.
Caspey	Simon's son, also a servant, served in WWI, brings a different, more assertive demeanor back from the war.	To assert his post-war identity and sense of self-worth, sometimes clashing with the traditional expectations of the old Southern order; to provide for his family within the Sartoris household.

Section 2

Bayard’s recklessness intensifies. He continues to drive fast, drink heavily, and engage in thrill-seeking behaviors, often endangering himself and others. Miss Jenny tries desperately to control him, but her efforts are largely futile against his internal demons. His wild actions are a source of constant worry for old Bayard, who feels a profound sense of responsibility for his grandson. One day, young Bayard insists on taking his grandfather for a ride in his new, powerful car, driving at an insane speed. Despite old Bayard's protests, Bayard pushes the car to its limits, resulting in a fatal heart attack for the elder Sartoris. This tragic event deepens young Bayard's guilt and isolation, pushing him further into despair. He feels responsible for his grandfather's death, adding another layer to his existing survivor's guilt over his twin brother. Narcissa Benbow, observing Bayard's tormented state, finds herself drawn to him, a mix of pity and a strange fascination with his dangerous allure.

Section 3

Following his grandfather's death, Bayard's despair and self-destructive tendencies continue, but he makes an attempt to stabilize his life. He abruptly proposes to Narcissa Benbow, and she, despite her misgivings and the family's disapproval of his erratic behavior, accepts. Their marriage offers a brief period of fragile peace and hope. A son, Benbow Sartoris, is born, seemingly offering Bayard a chance at redemption and a connection to the future. However, Bayard remains restless and haunted by his past. The domesticity of marriage and fatherhood cannot fully quell his inner turmoil. Horace Benbow, meanwhile, returns to Jefferson after attempting to establish himself as a glass blower elsewhere and has a tumultuous relationship with Belle Mitchell, whom he later marries. Horace and Belle's troubled marriage contrasts with Bayard and Narcissa's fragile one, both highlighting the complexities of love and domestic life in the post-war South. Bayard's restless nature eventually leads him to seek out dangerous activities again, despite Narcissa's pleas and Miss Jenny's warnings.

Character Name	Characteristics	Motivations
Belle Mitchell	Horace Benbow's wife (initially a mistress), a sophisticated but unhappy woman, often dramatic and demanding.	To escape her own unhappiness; to seek validation and attention; to find a stable domestic life, though she struggles to maintain it.
Buddy MacCallum	A simple, honest country boy who becomes a friend to Bayard, offering a contrast to the sophisticated Sartoris world.	To offer friendship and companionship; represents a simpler, uncorrupted way of life, untouched by the Sartoris family's complex history and trauma.
Aunt Sally	An elderly Black woman who is also part of the Sartoris household, known for her age and connection to the family's past.	To continue her long-standing role within the Sartoris household; to offer comfort and continuity, particularly in times of distress.

Section 4

Bayard's temporary peace shatters. He cannot escape the pull of his inherited recklessness and the trauma that defined him. He becomes obsessed with flying again, seeking increasingly dangerous stunts. His relationship with Narcissa deteriorates under the strain of his unresolved issues and his abandonment of his family duties. Despite Narcissa's growing strength and her love for their son, she cannot anchor Bayard. He eventually leaves Jefferson, seeking out even greater thrills and a sense of oblivion in flight. The novel culminates in the news of Bayard's death in a plane crash during a reckless test flight. His death is a tragic, yet perhaps inevitable, fulfillment of the Sartoris family's self-destructive legacy. The story concludes with Narcissa, now a widow, left to raise young Benbow, the last male Sartoris. She is faced with the daunting task of nurturing the next generation, hoping to break the cycle of tragedy while still honoring the complex and often destructive heritage of the Sartoris name. The book ends on a poignant note, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life, death, and the enduring weight of family history in the American South.

Genre

Literary Fiction, Southern Gothic, Family Saga, War Novel (Post-WWI)

Author Information

William Faulkner (1899-1962) was a Nobel Prize-winning American writer from Oxford, Mississippi. He is widely regarded as one of the most important writers of the Southern Gothic tradition and one of the greatest American novelists of all time. Much of his work is set in Yoknapatawpha County, a fictional region based on Lafayette County, Mississippi, where he lived. Faulkner's novels often explore the decline of the American South, its history, racial tensions, and the moral struggles of its inhabitants. He was known for his experimental narrative techniques, including stream of consciousness, multiple perspectives, and complex chronological structures. His notable works include The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, Light in August, and Absalom, Absalom!. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949.

Moral

The novel explores the destructive nature of unchecked pride, the crushing weight of a heroic family legacy, and the profound, lingering trauma of war. It suggests that individuals, particularly those from powerful, entrenched families, can become prisoners of their past and their inherited identities. The moral could be seen as a cautionary tale: true heroism lies not in reckless self-destruction but in the courage to confront one's demons, accept change, and embrace the responsibilities of life and family, a lesson young Bayard tragically fails to learn. It also implicitly highlights the resilience of women like Miss Jenny and Narcissa, who are left to rebuild and nurture life amidst the ruins of male-driven self-destruction.

Curiosities

• Original Title and Publication: Sartoris was originally written as Flags in the Dust in 1927. However, Faulkner's publisher, Harcourt, Brace and Company, found the manuscript too long and rambling. At the urging of his editor, Ben Wasson, Faulkner heavily revised and cut the novel. The abridged version was published as Sartoris in 1929. The full, original version, Flags in the Dust, was not published until 1973, after Faulkner's death, allowing readers to experience the author's original vision for the sprawling family saga.
• Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha County: This novel is a crucial early entry into Faulkner's fictional Yoknapatawpha County, a legendary setting that he would meticulously map out and populate with recurring characters and families throughout his literary career. The Sartoris family itself plays a significant role in several other Yoknapatawpha stories.
• Autobiographical Elements: Some critics suggest that young Bayard's character and his struggle with the aftermath of war and a sense of restless aimlessness may contain subtle autobiographical reflections of Faulkner's own experiences and feelings post-World War I, even though he saw limited combat.
• Southern Gothic and Modernism: Sartoris blends elements of the Southern Gothic, with its focus on decaying aristocracy, psychological torment, and tragic fate, with early modernist narrative techniques, laying the groundwork for Faulkner's more complex experimental novels to come.