55 pages • 1 hour read
Summary
Background
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Character Analysis
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Further Reading & Resources
Tools
“Those in power would take him away and would probably execute him, but his land would endure forever and support his family.”
The idea of identity being rooted in the land is integral to the Southern Gothic genre and highlights the image of the Banning family as descendants of Southern aristocracy.
“The Bannings were farmers and landowners, but they were workers, not gentrified planters with decadent lives made possible by the sweat of others.”
Pete and his forbearers may have seen themselves as farmers rather than aristocracy, but the relationship with their field hands resembles that of feudal aristocracy. The Lord and Lady are not as egalitarian as they would like to think they are. The idea of decadence is important to the Gothic genre, which often deals with families and cultures in decline, losing vitality, decaying and turning in on themselves, and becoming corrupt.
“He was forty-three, and, at least in [Florry’s] opinion, looked older. His thick dark hair was graying above his ears, and long wrinkles were forming across his forehead. The dashing young soldier who’d gone off to war was aging too fast.”
At the time of the story, Pete should be only just past his prime. His physical appearance is an outward representation of his inner fatigue and his acceptance of death. The murder of Pastor Bell is an act of indirect suicide on Pete’s part. He has given up on life.
Plus, gain access to 8,500+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
By John Grisham
Books on Justice & Injustice
View Collection
Books that Feature the Theme of...
View Collection
Books that Feature the Theme of...
View Collection
Brothers & Sisters
View Collection
Class
View Collection
Class
View Collection
Colonialism & Postcolonialism
View Collection
Coming-of-Age Journeys
View Collection
Daughters & Sons
View Collection
Equality
View Collection
Family
View Collection
Fathers
View Collection
Forgiveness
View Collection
Grief
View Collection
Guilt
View Collection
Hate & Anger
View Collection
Historical Fiction
View Collection
Horror, Thrillers, & Suspense
View Collection
Loyalty & Betrayal
View Collection
Marriage
View Collection
Memorial Day Reads
View Collection
Military Reads
View Collection
Mortality & Death
View Collection
Mothers
View Collection
Mystery & Crime
View Collection
Nation & Nationalism
View Collection
New York Times Best Sellers
View Collection
Pride & Shame
View Collection
Revenge
View Collection
Safety & Danger
View Collection
The Past
View Collection
True Crime & Legal
View Collection
Trust & Doubt
View Collection
Truth & Lies
View Collection
War
View Collection