A Fable

William Faulkner is an important figure in the history of American literature. Though he is known for his literary depictions of the American south, his 1954 novel A Fable is set in France during World War I and won a Pulitzer Prize. Born on September 25, 1897, in New Albany, Mississippi, William Cuthbert Falkner grew up in a culturally rich and economically challenged environment. His great-grandfather, Colonel William Falkner, was a prominent lawyer, Civil War veteran, and author, adding credence to Faulkner’s own literary history. Despite his literary lineage, Faulkner’s early life was marked by academic struggles, and he dropped out of high school, as he was more interested in reading and storytelling than traditional education.

In 1918, Faulkner attempted to join the United States Army Air Force but was rejected due to his short stature. Instead, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force in Canada, but World War I ended before he saw any active duty. After the war, he attended the University of Mississippi, but his academic pursuits were also brief. Faulkner’s heart was set on writing, and he soon moved to New Orleans to pursue his passion. In New Orleans, Faulkner began his literary career in earnest. He wrote poetry and short stories and started working on his first novel, Soldiers’ Pay.