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Courtney Blaylock
Professor Monroe
ENGL 391
30 July 2011
The Connection between Willa Cather and William Faulkner
A question that is continuously asked over and over is what makes a writer significant.
What is it that sets them apart from other writers? It could possibly be their own personal writing
styles, the individual passion that is enforced into their writings, or it may possibly be the themes
a writer focuses on when expressing their feelings. It is a simple task to find writers that are a
like when they both write on the same topics or explore the same subjects. It also may be easy to
find relative points in two author’s works with different topics. Two American authors that can
be compared in their writing styles would be the great southern writer, William Faulkner and
Virginia native, Willa Cather. “Barn Burning” by Faulkner and “Paul’s Case” by Cather go hand
in hand in comparisons.
“Some memories are realities, and are better than anything that can ever happen to one
again”. The quote above comes from the short story “My Antonia” by American author, Willa
Cather. She was born on the seventh day of November in 1873. Cather was the oldest of seven
children and held a great deal of responsibilities by being the eldest. As a child, Cather moved
from Virginia to Nebraska where she would later attend the University of Nebraska. Cather
excelled greatly in her studies and actually sought out to be a doctor in the beginning of her
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young adult life. She then decided her true passion lead to writing and putting her thoughts on
paper. Cather acquired several jobs as a young adult and she later served as a high school English
teacher for five consecutive years. Most of her time was spent on journalism and her own
personal writing (Brown, 13). Cather is well known for her collection of short stories and novels.
Most writers all share certain writing styles and techniques but Willa Cather and William
Faulkner both go hand in hand with some of their short stories.
On September 25, 1897, southern literature made a turn for the best when William
Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi. Like Cather, Faulkner was the eldest of child in
the family. He had three younger brothers. One can only imagine what it may have possibly been
like growing up with three male siblings. Caroline Barr played a significant role on Faulkner’s
life. She was an African American lady who basically raised young William. Many consider Barr
to have been an inspiration to Faulkner’s writings. Faulkner began writing poetry and he studied
at the University of Mississippi. However, he decided not to return back to the university shortly
after three semesters of attendance. Faulkner continued to reside in Oxford, Mississippi for the
majority of his life. Faulkner married Estelle Oldham and they had one child together, Jill
Faulkner. Estelle had two children from her previous marriage to Cornell Franklin. Estelle and
William resided at their antebellum home, Rowan Oak, in Oxford, Mississippi. Their relationship
with one another was anything but the typical marriage (Gray, 11-29). In today’s time, Faulkner
is thought of as one of the greatest southern American writers of all times.
In the short story, “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather, alienation is the main theme. The story
unfolds with Paul being sent to the principal’s office. In the story, Paul did not give much
thought to what others thought of him. He would sometimes get lost in his imagination. The
teachers at Paul’s school truly felt as though he was a troublesome child and actually attempted
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to have him removed from the school system. Paul held an after school job at the famous
Carnegie Hall as an usher. As expressed by Cather in the short story, Paul loved his job because
of the experiences he received from the music that was played. Paul had a difficult time with his
father while growing up. The two did not see eye to eye and his father was very somewhat of a
strict father. While at work, Paul told many stories to all of the other boys he worked with. One
could say that Paul stretched the truth. Next, Paul journeys from Pittsburgh to the big city, New
York City where he sets out on an expensive rendezvous. Paul planned escape perfectly. He
thought it over in his head a great deal of times. When Paul arrived in New York City, he
changed his entire attire. Cather expands deeply on all the money that Paul spent and how he was
basically living life in luxury (Cather, 131). Paul constantly pretended to be someone that he was
not. He frequently deceived others due to the unsatisfactory lifestyle he was living. He was tired
of being at home and he was happy with his new lifestyle even though in the back of his head, he
had stolen a large sum of money before beginning his journey. When word reached Paul’s family
about the stolen money, Paul’s father embarked on his own journey to New York to find his son,
Paul. Paul knew his father had come for him and Paul had been taken over by his feelings. He
was out of money and the luxury was coming to a halt. He sat in his room with his eyes focused
on a revolver. He contemplated for a while and then decided that was not the way to go. He took
a taxi cab to the nearby train station (Taylor, 92). On the way there, he replayed all of the
memories from that day. “He felt something strike his chest, and that his body was being thrown
swiftly through the air, on and on, immeasurably far and fast, while his limbs were gently
relaxed. Then, because the picture making mechanism was crushed, the disturbing vision flashed
into black, and Paul dropped back into the immense design of things”. Paul throws his body in
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front of the train and takes his life. Paul had experienced alienation and felt as though he was not
recognized in society.
In William Faulkner’s short story, “Barn Burning”, Colonel Sartoris Snopes would be
considered one of the main characters. He and Paul from “Paul’s Case” by Cather both share
some of the same traits. However, Sartoris is not troublesome like Paul. He is an ordinary child
who got along with mostly everyone and always wanted to do what was in the best interest for
others. Sartoris and his family left their community after accusations that his father, Abner
Snopes had burned down another man in the community’s barn. Young Sartoris was called to the
stand to testify against his father and he kept his mouth shut the entire time. Court took place in
the general store and as Faulkner states in the story, Sartoris thought it smelled of cheese. The
Snopes’ family was asked to leave the community and they all loaded up their wagon and headed
for new land. When they reached their new destination, Abner Snopes had a run around with a
black man. He threatened to burn the black man’s barn down and Sartoris alerted the black man
of his father’s cruel intentions. Sartoris’ fathers often ridiculed him of being too weak and that he
had to stand up for himself. Abner and Paul’s father from “Paul’s Case” also share some of the
same traits. After Sartoris told the black man about what his father was going to do, he decided
to embark on his own journey and never turn back again. “He went on down the hill, toward the
dark woods within which the liquid silver voices of the birds called unceasing – the rapid and
urgent beating of the urgent and quiring heart of the late spring night. He did not look back”.
Sartoris then began his own journey in life.
In comparison, Paul and Sartoris share many of the same traits. They both left to find
something better in life. Neither of the boys had any desire to return home to their families. Each
story classifies the true struggle between father and son and loss of involvement. Both boys
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suffer from the ridicule of their fathers. Sartoris’ father is rather stern on him throughout the
story. Paul and Sartoris differ when it comes to their personal feelings. Sartoris kept everything
closed up inside of him and did not publically display his emotions. Paul was very troublesome
and he often experienced alienation. He acted out on his feelings frequently. The main and key
comparison that the two share is that they are running from their fears, feelings, families, and
emotions. Both boys are looking for other things in life but Paul ended his life before he could
reach his goal. Sartoris turned away from his family and never looked back. They both desired to
carry out their dreams. The ending of the stories ties together due to the escapement of both
characters. Faulkner and Cather both share similar writing styles and techniques. The characters
they created were complete opposite in personality but very similar in traits and ideas.
In conclusion, Paul and Sartoris both escaped the lives they were living. However,
Sartoris chose the best way out and gave up his loyalty to his family. Faulkner and Cather are
both great American writers who share many great qualities but are both appreciated for two
separate ideas.
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Works Cited
Brown, E.K., Willa Cather: A Critical Biography. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press,
c1953, 1987. Print.
Cather, Willa, Novels and Stories 1905-1918. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc., 1987.
Print.
Gray, Richard J., The Life of William Faulkner: A Critical
Biography.Cambridge:Blackwell Publishers, 1994. Print/ Web Based.
Taylor, Rachel, Deception: A Young Person’s Life Skill?. New York: Psychology Press,
2011. Print.
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