Absalom, Absalom! is a classic novel written by William Faulkner, published in 1936. Set in the American South during the 19th and early 20th centuries, the book explores themes of family, race, and the complex history of the region. Faulkner’s masterful storytelling and powerful prose have made Absalom, Absalom! a timeless piece of literature that continues to captivate readers today.
Throughout the novel, Faulkner weaves a tapestry of memorable quotes that offer profound insights into the characters, their motivations, and the turbulent historical backdrop against which their lives unfold. These quotes are not only beautifully written but also provide thought-provoking commentary on the human condition. In this article, we have compiled a selection of twenty Absalom, Absalom! quotes that will inspire, provoke, and resonate with readers.
So, without further ado, let’s delve into the world of Absalom, Absalom! and explore some of its most memorable quotes.
Read these Absalom, Absalom! quotes
“Tell about the South. What’s it like there? What do they do there? Why do they live there? Why do they live at all?” – Shreve
“There was a land of Cavaliers and Cotton Fields called the Old South… Here was a civilization which had fallen apart before I was born but I myself have reached the age of Southern womanhood in it.” – Rosa Coldfield
“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” – Narrator
“Maybe nothing ever happens once and is finished.” – Quentin Compson
“I’m telling you. I’m asking you to marry me.” – Henry Sutpen
“Maybe nothing ever happens once and is finished.” – Quentin Compson
“I’m telling you. I’m asking you to marry me.” – Henry Sutpen
“I have no sister. I have no sister.” – Judith Sutpen
“I don’t hate it he thought, panting in the sudden cold, the iron New England dark; I don’t. I don’t! I don’t hate it! I don’t hate it!” – Quentin Compson
“It’s a story. It’s a story I have heard somewhere, sometime. Once upon a time. Which is not to say that it is not true.” – Rosa Coldfield
“I’m telling you… I… I love you. Do you want me to go on? I will go on.” – Charles Bon
“…so when the shadow of the sash appeared on the curtains it was between seven and eight oclock and then I was in time again, hearing the watch.” – Quentin Compson
“…a face which had not been made but had happened.” – Narrator
“…it was the last of that fierce and indomitable wild array that had not been subdued or exhausted but merely transformed into silent light.” – Narrator
“I dont hate it he thought, panting in the sudden cold, the iron New England dark; I dont. I dont! I dont hate it! I dont hate it!” – Quentin Compson
“…and it was as though at last, in the unquiet dark, invisible, he had found the body, the body which matched forever the soul.” – Narrator
“It takes two people to make you, and one people to die. That’s how the world is going to end.” – Shreve
“Tell about the South. What’s it like there? What do they do there? Why do they live there? Why do they live at all?” – Shreve
“There was a land of Cavaliers and Cotton Fields called the Old South… Here was a civilization which had fallen apart before I was born but I myself have reached the age of Southern womanhood in it.” – Rosa Coldfield
“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” – Narrator
“Maybe nothing ever happens once and is finished.” – Quentin Compson
These quotes are just a glimpse into the rich and multi-layered narrative of Absalom, Absalom! Whether you are a literature enthusiast, a student studying Faulkner’s works, or simply seeking a thought-provoking read, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression. So, dive into the world of Absalom, Absalom! and let Faulkner’s words transport you to a bygone era filled with passion, tragedy, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
