Light in August Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

  1. Joe Christmas is repeatedly likened to Christ – what do you make of all of these comparisons? Is Joe Christmas a martyr figure?
  2. What is Percy Grimm's role in the novel? What aspect of southern history might he represent?
  3. How are womanhood and female sexuality depicted in the novel?
  4. Much of Light in August is told through flashbacks. What effect does this have on the reading experience?
  5. What role does religion play in the novel? Are there competing versions of Christianity in the book and, if so, how do they differ from one another?