William Faulkner: Biography, Works, Quotes, and 151 MCQs for Competitive Exams
William Faulkner: Biography, Works, Quotes, and 151 MCQs for Competitive Exams: Explore the life, innovative narrative style, and Southern Gothic vision of William Faulkner, an American novelist celebrated for his complex works like The Sound and the Fury. Known for stream-of-consciousness and Yoknapatawpha County, Faulkner’s literature captures the American South. This guide covers his biography, major works, quotes, themes, awards, and 151 MCQs tailored for UPSC, UGC NET, SET, TGT, PGT, CTET, DUET, JNUET, and SSC CGL exams.
Exam Tip: Focus on Faulkner’s stream-of-consciousness and Southern themes for UGC NET and JNUET success!
Biography of William Faulkner
Full Name: William Cuthbert Faulkner
Date of Birth: September 25, 1897
Place of Birth: New Albany, Mississippi, USA
Date of Death: July 6, 1962
Place of Death: Byhalia, Mississippi, USA
Parents: Murry Cuthbert Falkner (father, railroad worker and businessman) and Maud Butler (mother, homemaker)
Siblings: Three brothers
Spouse: Estelle Oldham (married 1929)
Education: Limited; attended University of Mississippi briefly
Profession: Novelist, short story writer, screenwriter, poet
Literary Age: Modernism (early–mid 20th century, 1920–1962)
Contemporaries: Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf
Major Movements: Modernism, Southern Gothic, Stream-of-Consciousness
Notable Achievements: Nobel Prize in Literature (1949), Pulitzer Prizes (1955, 1963), National Book Awards (1951, 1955)
Social Causes: Civil rights (later in life), Southern identity
Influences: Southern history, Civil War legacy, James Joyce’s narrative techniques
Legacy: Creator of Yoknapatawpha County, influence on Latin American literature, Faulkner Foundation
William Faulkner, born in Mississippi to a businessman father and homemaker mother, grew up in a Southern family. With limited formal education, he briefly attended the University of Mississippi before pursuing writing. His marriage to Estelle Oldham influenced his personal life. Faulkner’s innovative novels, set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, explore Southern decline and human complexity. A Nobel laureate, he worked as a screenwriter and addressed civil rights later in life. He died in 1962, leaving a profound literary legacy vital for UPSC and NET aspirants.
Major Works of William Faulkner
Faulkner’s novels and stories, known for their complex narratives and Southern settings, include:
- The Sound and the Fury (1929): Chronicles the Compson family’s decline.
- As I Lay Dying (1930): Follows the Bundren family’s journey to bury their matriarch.
- Light in August (1932): Explores race, identity, and isolation.
- Absalom, Absalom! (1936): Narrates the Sutpen family’s tragic ambition.
- The Unvanquished (1938): Short stories about the Sartoris family during the Civil War.
- Go Down, Moses (1942): Interconnected stories on race and heritage.
- Intruder in the Dust (1948): Addresses racial injustice in Mississippi.
- A Fable (1954): Allegorical novel set during World War I.
- The Reivers (1962): Humorous tale of a boy’s adventure, posthumous Pulitzer winner.
- Sanctuary (1931): Crime novel exploring corruption and morality.
“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” – William Faulkner, Requiem for a Nun
Quotes by William Faulkner
Faulkner’s quotes reflect his insights into time, humanity, and the South. Here are 11 notable quotes:
- “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” (Requiem for a Nun)
- “You don’t love because: you love despite.” (The Wild Palms)
- “Memory believes before knowing remembers.” (Light in August)
- “A man’s moral conscience is the curse he had to accept.” (As I Lay Dying)
- “Clocks slay time… time is dead as long as it is being clicked off.” (The Sound and the Fury)
- “Given the choice between grief and nothing, I’d choose grief.” (The Wild Palms)
- “The only thing worth writing about is the human heart in conflict.” (Nobel Prize speech)
- “My mother is a fish.” (As I Lay Dying)
- “Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do.” (Essay)
- “Man will not merely endure: he will prevail.” (Nobel Prize speech)
- “Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries. Try to be better than yourself.” (Interview)
Themes in William Faulkner’s Works
Faulkner’s literature explores complex themes, crucial for exams like NET and SET. Major themes include:
- Southern Decline: Depicted in The Sound and the Fury and Absalom, Absalom!.
- Race and Identity: Explored in Light in August and Go Down, Moses.
- Time and Memory: Central to The Sound and the Fury and Requiem for a Nun.
- Human Conflict: Addressed in As I Lay Dying and Intruder in the Dust.
- Morality and Guilt: Examined in Sanctuary and A Fable.
Pro Tip: Study Faulkner’s use of stream-of-consciousness and Yoknapatawpha County for UPSC and CTET essay questions!
151 MCQs on William Faulkner for Competitive Exams
Test your knowledge with these 151 MCQs, categorized for UGC NET, SET, TGT, PGT, CTET, DUET, JNUET, UPSC, and SSC CGL preparation. Each question includes an answer and explanation.
Biography (30 Questions)
- What is William Faulkner’s full name?
A) William Cuthbert Faulkner B) William James Faulkner C) William Edward Faulkner D) William John Faulkner
Answer: A) William Cuthbert Faulkner
Explanation: His full name, tested in NET. - Where was William Faulkner born?
A) Oxford, Mississippi B) New Albany, Mississippi C) Jackson, Mississippi D) Memphis, Tennessee
Answer: B) New Albany, Mississippi
Explanation: Born in 1897, relevant for SET. - In which year was Faulkner born?
A) 1895 B) 1897 C) 1899 D) 1901
Answer: B) 1897
Explanation: Born September 25, 1897, tested in SSC CGL. - Who was Faulkner’s father?
A) Murry Cuthbert Falkner B) James Falkner C) Thomas Falkner D) Edward Falkner
Answer: A) Murry Cuthbert Falkner
Explanation: A railroad worker, noted in CTET. - What was Faulkner’s father’s profession?
A) Lawyer B) Railroad worker C) Doctor D) Journalist
Answer: B) Railroad worker
Explanation: Also a businessman, tested in NET. - Who was Faulkner’s mother?
A) Maud Butler B) Mary Faulkner C) Emily Butler D) Sarah Faulkner
Answer: A) Maud Butler
Explanation: A homemaker, relevant for PGT. - How many siblings did Faulkner have?
A) Two B) Three C) Four D) Five
Answer: B) Three
Explanation: Three brothers, tested in JNUET. - Who was Faulkner’s spouse?
A) Estelle Oldham B) Jane Austen C) Ellen Douglas D) Mary Shelley
Answer: A) Estelle Oldham
Explanation: Married in 1929, tested in NET. - What was Faulkner’s education level?
A) College graduate B) Limited; attended university briefly C) High school graduate D) PhD
Answer: B) Limited; attended university briefly
Explanation: University of Mississippi, tested in JNUET. - Which profession did Faulkner not pursue?
A) Novelist B) Lawyer C) Screenwriter D) Short story writer
Answer: B) Lawyer
Explanation: Worked in various fields, tested in PGT. - When did Faulkner die?
A) 1960 B) 1962 C) 1964 D) 1966
Answer: B) 1962
Explanation: Died July 6, 1962, tested in NET. - Where did Faulkner die?
A) Byhalia, Mississippi B) Oxford, Mississippi C) New Orleans D) Los Angeles
Answer: A) Byhalia, Mississippi
Explanation: Died in 1962, relevant for SET. - What was the cause of Faulkner’s death?
A) Heart attack B) Cancer C) Stroke D) Pneumonia
Answer: A) Heart attack
Explanation: After a fall, tested in JNUET. - In which literary age did Faulkner write?
A) Romanticism B) Modernism C) Postmodernism D) Victorian
Answer: B) Modernism
Explanation: Early–mid 20th century, noted in NET. - Which writer was Faulkner’s contemporary?
A) Ernest Hemingway B) Charles Dickens C) Walt Whitman D) Geoffrey Chaucer
Answer: A) Ernest Hemingway
Explanation: Shared Modernist era, tested in SET. - What role did Faulkner play in Hollywood?
A) Actor B) Screenwriter C) Director D) Producer
Answer: B) Screenwriter
Explanation: Wrote scripts, tested in PGT. - In which year did Faulkner win the Nobel Prize?
A) 1947 B) 1949 C) 1951 D) 1953
Answer: B) 1949
Explanation: For literature, relevant for UPSC. - Which social cause did Faulkner support later in life?
A) Civil rights B) Prohibition C) Women’s suffrage D) Labor reform
Answer: A) Civil rights
Explanation: Reflected in essays, tested in NET. - Which movement influenced Faulkner?
A) Romanticism B) Modernism C) Realism D) Symbolism
Answer: B) Modernism
Explanation: James Joyce’s influence, tested in SET. - What was Faulkner’s family’s social status?
A) Middle class B) Working class C) Upper class D) Aristocracy
Answer: A) Middle class
Explanation: Southern family, tested in JNUET. - Which city was central to Faulkner’s life?
A) Oxford, Mississippi B) New York C) Los Angeles D) Chicago
Answer: A) Oxford, Mississippi
Explanation: Shaped his writing, tested in NET. - Which job did Faulkner hold early in life?
A) Postmaster B) Lawyer C) Doctor D) Farmer
Answer: A) Postmaster
Explanation: At University of Mississippi, tested in SET. - Which war influenced Faulkner’s early life?
A) World War I B) Civil War C) World War II D) Korean War
Answer: A) World War I
Explanation: Attempted to enlist, tested in JNUET. - What was Faulkner’s first published novel?
A) Soldier’s Pay B) The Sound and the Fury C) Sanctuary D) As I Lay Dying
Answer: A) Soldier’s Pay
Explanation: Published in 1926, tested in NET. - Which region influenced Faulkner’s works?
A) American South B) New England C) Midwest D) West Coast
Answer: A) American South
Explanation: Yoknapatawpha County, tested in SET. - Which writer influenced Faulkner?
A) James Joyce B) Walt Whitman C) Robert Frost D) Charles Dickens
Answer: A) James Joyce
Explanation: Stream-of-consciousness, tested in JNUET. - What was Faulkner’s nationality?
A) British B) American C) Canadian D) Irish
Answer: B) American
Explanation: Born in the U.S., tested in SSC CGL. - Which award did Faulkner win in 1955?
A) Pulitzer Prize B) Nobel Prize C) Booker Prize D) Hugo Award
Answer: A) Pulitzer Prize
Explanation: For A Fable, tested in NET. - Which fictional county did Faulkner create?
A) Yoknapatawpha B) Wessex C) Lake County D) Macondo
Answer: A) Yoknapatawpha
Explanation: Setting for many works, tested in SET. - Which movement did Faulkner contribute to?
A) Southern Gothic B) Romanticism C) Naturalism D) Postmodernism
Answer: A) Southern Gothic
Explanation: Dark Southern themes, tested in JNUET.
Major Works and Quotes (45 Questions)
- Which is Faulkner’s most famous novel?
A) The Sound and the Fury B) Sanctuary C) A Fable D) The Reivers
Answer: A) The Sound and the Fury
Explanation: Iconic work, tested in NET. - Which novel features the Compson family?
A) The Sound and the Fury B) As I Lay Dying C) Light in August D) Absalom, Absalom!
Answer: A) The Sound and the Fury
Explanation: Family decline, tested in JNUET. - What is Faulkner’s first major novel?
A) Soldier’s Pay B) The Sound and the Fury C) Sanctuary D) As I Lay Dying
Answer: B) The Sound and the Fury
Explanation: Published in 1929, tested in SET. - Which novel is about the Bundren family?
A) As I Lay Dying B) The Sound and the Fury C) Light in August D) Absalom, Absalom!
Answer: A) As I Lay Dying
Explanation: Burial journey, tested in NET. - Which work explores racial injustice?
A) Intruder in the Dust B) The Sound and the Fury C) A Fable D) The Reivers
Answer: A) Intruder in the Dust
Explanation: Published in 1948, tested in JNUET. - Which novel is set during World War I?
A) A Fable B) The Sound and the Fury C) Light in August D) Absalom, Absalom!
Answer: A) A Fable
Explanation: Allegorical, tested in SET. - Which work is a collection of stories?
A) Go Down, Moses B) The Sound and the Fury C) Sanctuary D) The Reivers
Answer: A) Go Down, Moses
Explanation: Race and heritage, tested in NET. - Which novel features the Sutpen family?
A) Absalom, Absalom! B) As I Lay Dying C) Light in August D) Intruder in the Dust
Answer: A) Absalom, Absalom!
Explanation: Tragic ambition, tested in JNUET. - In which year was The Sound and the Fury published?
A) 1927 B) 1929 C) 1931 D) 1933
Answer: B) 1929
Explanation: Major work, tested in SET. - Which quote is from Requiem for a Nun?
A) “The past is never dead” B) “You don’t love because” C) “Memory believes” D) “My mother is a fish”
Answer: A) “The past is never dead”
Explanation: Iconic line, tested in JNUET. - Which novel explores race and identity?
A) Light in August B) The Sound and the Fury C) A Fable D) The Reivers
Answer: A) Light in August
Explanation: Joe Christmas, tested in NET. - Which work is a crime novel?
A) Sanctuary B) The Sound and the Fury C) As I Lay Dying D) Absalom, Absalom!
Answer: A) Sanctuary
Explanation: Published in 1931, tested in PGT. - What is the setting of The Sound and the Fury?
A) Yoknapatawpha County B) New Orleans C) New York D) Paris
Answer: A) Yoknapatawpha County
Explanation: Fictional setting, tested in NET. - Which novel won a posthumous Pulitzer?
A) The Reivers B) A Fable C) Intruder in the Dust D) Sanctuary
Answer: A) The Reivers
Explanation: Won in 1963, tested in JNUET. - Which quote is from As I Lay Dying?
A) “My mother is a fish” B) “The past is never dead” C) “Memory believes” D) “You don’t love because”
Answer: A) “My mother is a fish”
Explanation: Vardaman’s line, tested in SET. - Which novel is set during the Civil War?
A) The Unvanquished B) The Sound and the Fury C) Light in August D) A Fable
Answer: A) The Unvanquished
Explanation: Sartoris family, tested in NET. - What is the main theme of The Sound and the Fury?
A) Family decline B) Class inequality C) Legal reform D) War
Answer: A) Family decline
Explanation: Compson family, tested in JNUET. - Which quote is from Light in August?
A) “Memory believes before knowing remembers” B) “The past is never dead” C) “My mother is a fish” D) “Man will prevail”
Answer: A) “Memory believes before knowing remembers”
Explanation: Identity theme, tested in SET. - Which novel explores ambition and tragedy?
A) Absalom, Absalom! B) As I Lay Dying C) Intruder in the Dust D) The Reivers
Answer: A) Absalom, Absalom!
Explanation: Sutpen family, tested in NET. - What is the main theme of As I Lay Dying?
A) Family duty B) Class inequality C) Legal reform D) War
Answer: A) Family duty
Explanation: Burial journey, tested in JNUET. - Which quote is from Faulkner’s Nobel speech?
A) “Man will not merely endure: he will prevail” B) “The past is never dead” C) “My mother is a fish” D) “Memory believes”
Answer: A) “Man will not merely endure: he will prevail”
Explanation: Human spirit, tested in NET. - In which year was As I Lay Dying published?
A) 1928 B) 1930 C) 1932 D) 1934
Answer: B) 1930
Explanation: Major work, tested in SET. - Which novel is humorous?
A) The Reivers B) The Sound and the Fury C) Light in August D) Absalom, Absalom!
Answer: A) The Reivers
Explanation: Boy’s adventure, tested in NET. - Who is the protagonist of Light in August?
A) Joe Christmas B) Quentin Compson C) Thomas Sutpen D) Lucius Priest
Answer: A) Joe Christmas
Explanation: Racial identity, tested in JNUET. - Which quote is from The Wild Palms?
A) “You don’t love because: you love despite” B) “The past is never dead” C) “My mother is a fish” D) “Man will prevail”
Answer: A) “You don’t love because: you love despite”
Explanation: Love theme, tested in SET. - Which novel addresses morality?
A) Sanctuary B) The Sound and the Fury C) A Fable D) The Reivers
Answer: A) Sanctuary
Explanation: Corruption, tested in NET. - What is the narrative style of The Sound and the Fury?
A) Stream-of-consciousness B) Linear C) Epistolary D) Third-person omniscient
Answer: A) Stream-of-consciousness
Explanation: Multiple perspectives, tested in JNUET. - Which novel features multiple narrators?
A) As I Lay Dying B) Intruder in the Dust C) The Reivers D) A Fable
Answer: A) As I Lay Dying
Explanation: Bundren family, tested in NET. - Which novel is an allegory?
A) A Fable B) The Sound and the Fury C) Light in August D) Absalom, Absalom!
Answer: A) A Fable
Explanation: World War I, tested in SET. - What is the theme of Go Down, Moses?
A) Race and heritage B) Class inequality C) Legal reform D) War
Answer: A) Race and heritage
Explanation: McCaslin family, tested in JNUET. - Which quote is from The Sound and the Fury?
A) “Clocks slay time” B) “The past is never dead” C) “Memory believes” D) “You don’t love because”
Answer: A) “Clocks slay time”
Explanation: Time theme, tested in NET. - Which novel is set in Yoknapatawpha County?
A) Intruder in the Dust B) A Fable C) The Wild Palms D) Soldier’s Pay
Answer: A) Intruder in the Dust
Explanation: Fictional setting, tested in SET. - What is the tone of The Sound and the Fury?
A) Tragic B) Comedic C) Satirical D) Optimistic
Answer: A) Tragic
Explanation: Family decline, tested in JNUET. - Which novel uses nonlinear narrative?
A) Absalom, Absalom! B) The Reivers C) Intruder in the Dust D) A Fable
Answer: A) Absalom, Absalom!
Explanation: Complex storytelling, tested in NET. - Which novel features Temple Drake?
A) Sanctuary B) The Sound and the Fury C) As I Lay Dying D) Light in August
Answer: A) Sanctuary
Explanation: Crime narrative, tested in SET. - Which quote is from an essay?
A) “Always dream and shoot higher” B) “The past is never dead” C) “My mother is a fish” D) “Memory believes”
Explanation: Motivational, tested in JNUET. - Which novel explores family legacy?
A) Go Down, Moses B) The Reivers C) Intruder in the Dust D) A Fable
Answer: A) Go Down, Moses
Explanation: McCaslin family, tested in NET. - What is the form of As I Lay Dying?
A) Multiple narrators B) Single narrator C) Epistolary D) Linear narrative
Answer: A) Multiple narrators
Explanation: Bundren perspectives, tested in SET. - Which novel is about a boy’s adventure?
A) The Reivers B) The Sound and the Fury C) Light in August D) Absalom, Absalom!
Answer: A) The Reivers
Explanation: Lucius Priest, tested in JNUET. - Which quote is from an interview?
A) “Try to be better than yourself” B) “The past is never dead” C) “My mother is a fish” D) “Memory believes”
Answer: A) “Try to be better than yourself”
Explanation: Self-improvement, tested in NET. - Which novel features Quentin Compson?
A) The Sound and the Fury B) As I Lay Dying C) Intruder in the Dust D) A Fable
Answer: A) The Sound and the Fury
Explanation: Compson family, tested in SET. - Which novel critiques Southern society?
A) Absalom, Absalom! B) The Reivers C) A Fable D) Soldier’s Pay
Answer: A) Absalom, Absalom!
Explanation: Sutpen’s ambition, tested in JNUET.
Themes/Style (30 Questions)
- What is a major theme in The Sound and the Fury?
A) Family decline B) Class inequality C) Legal reform D) War
Answer: A) Family decline
Explanation: Compson family, tested in NET. - Which theme is prominent in Light in August?
A) Race and identity B) Prison reform C) Class prejudice D) Materialism
Answer: A) Race and identity
Explanation: Joe Christmas, tested in JNUET. - What is Faulkner’s writing style?
A) Stream-of-consciousness B) Rhymed stanza C) Linear narrative D) Epistolary
Answer: A) Stream-of-consciousness
Explanation: Complex narratives, tested in SET. - Which theme is explored in As I Lay Dying?
A) Family duty B) Love C) Legal reform D) War
Answer: A) Family duty
Explanation: Burial journey, tested in NET. - What is a key theme in Intruder in the Dust?
A) Racial injustice B) Class inequality C) Prison reform D) Materialism
Answer: A) Racial injustice
Explanation: Southern society, tested in JNUET. - Which style characterizes Faulkner’s novels?
A) Nonlinear B) Minimalist C) Ornate D) Abstract
Answer: A) Nonlinear
Explanation: Complex timelines, tested in SET. - What theme is central to Absalom, Absalom!?
A) Ambition and tragedy B) Class prejudice C) Legal reform D) War
Answer: A) Ambition and tragedy
Explanation: Sutpen family, tested in NET. - Which theme is in Go Down, Moses?
A) Race and heritage B) Labor disputes C) Prison reform D) Class inequality
Answer: A) Race and heritage
Explanation: McCaslin family, tested in JNUET. - What is a theme in Sanctuary?
A) Morality B) Class inequality C) Legal reform D) Materialism
Answer: A) Morality
Explanation: Corruption, tested in SET. - Which theme is in A Fable?
A) Moral conflict B) Love C) Prison reform D) War
Answer: A) Moral conflict
Explanation: Allegorical, tested in NET. - What is Faulkner’s approach to time?
A) Nonlinear B) Linear C) Cyclical D) Static
Answer: A) Nonlinear
Explanation: Seen in The Sound and the Fury, tested in JNUET. - Which theme is in The Reivers?
A) Coming of age B) Class prejudice C) Prison reform D) War
Answer: A) Coming of age
Explanation: Lucius Priest, tested in NET. - What is a feature of Faulkner’s style?
A) Multiple narrators B) Minimalism C) Rhymed prose D) Abstract imagery
Answer: A) Multiple narrators
Explanation: Seen in As I Lay Dying, tested in SET. - Which theme is in Requiem for a Nun?
A) Past and guilt B) Class inequality C) Legal reform D) War
Answer: A) Past and guilt
Explanation: Southern history, tested in NET. - What is Faulkner’s tone in Light in August?
A) Tragic B) Satirical C) Comedic D) Optimistic
Answer: A) Tragic
Explanation: Joe Christmas, tested in JNUET. - Which theme is in The Sound and the Fury?
A) Time and memory B) Prison reform C) Labor disputes D) Class inequality
Answer: A) Time and memory
Explanation: Nonlinear narrative, tested in NET. - What is a stylistic feature of Absalom, Absalom!?
A) Nonlinear narrative B) Sonnet C) Linear plot D) Blank verse
Answer: A) Nonlinear narrative
Explanation: Complex storytelling, tested in SET. - Which theme is in Intruder in the Dust?
A) Racial justice B) Love C) Prison reform D) War
Answer: A) Racial justice
Explanation: Southern society, tested in JNUET. - What is Faulkner’s view on the South?
A) Complex and tragic B) Comedic C) Idealized D) Cynical
Answer: A) Complex and tragic
Explanation: Seen in Yoknapatawpha, tested in NET. - Which theme is in Sanctuary?
A) Corruption B) Class prejudice C) Legal reform D) War
Answer: A) Corruption
Explanation: Temple Drake, tested in SET. - What is a theme in A Fable?
A) Sacrifice B) Class inequality C) Prison reform D) Materialism
Answer: A) Sacrifice
Explanation: Allegorical, tested in JNUET. - Which theme is in The Reivers?
A) Moral growth B) Class prejudice C) Legal reform D) War
Answer: A) Moral growth
Explanation: Lucius Priest, tested in NET. - What is Faulkner’s narrative style?
A) Multiple perspectives B) Single narrator C) Omniscient D) Epistolary
Answer: A) Multiple perspectives
Explanation: Seen in As I Lay Dying, tested in SET. - Which theme is in Go Down, Moses?
A) Family legacy B) Class prejudice C) Prison reform D) War
Answer: A) Family legacy
Explanation: McCaslin family, tested in JNUET. - What is a theme in Light in August?
A) Isolation B) Class inequality C) Legal reform D) War
Answer: A) Isolation
Explanation: Joe Christmas, tested in NET. - Which theme is in The Unvanquished?
A) Resilience B) Class prejudice C) Prison reform D) Materialism
Answer: A) Resilience
Explanation: Sartoris family, tested in SET. - What is Faulkner’s tone in The Sound and the Fury?
A) Tragic B) Satirical C) Comedic D) Optimistic
Explanation: Family decline, tested in JNUET. - Which theme is in Absalom, Absalom!?
A) Southern decline B) Love C) Prison reform D) War
Answer: A) Southern decline
Explanation: Sutpen family, tested in NET. - What is a feature of Faulkner’s imagery?
A) Vivid and complex B) Minimalist C) Abstract D) Comedic
Answer: A) Vivid and complex
Explanation: Southern settings, tested in SET. - Which theme is in As I Lay Dying?
A) Human struggle B) Class inequality C) Prison reform D) War
Answer: A) Human struggle
Explanation: Bundren journey, tested in JNUET.
Historical Context (25 Questions)
- In which era was Faulkner born?
A) Modernist B) Victorian C) Romantic D) Postmodern
Answer: A) Modernist
Explanation: Born in 1897, tested in NET. - Which event influenced Faulkner’s works?
A) Civil War legacy B) World War II C) Revolutionary War D) Vietnam War
Answer: A) Civil War legacy
Explanation: Southern history, tested in JNUET. - In which century did Faulkner write?
A) 19th B) 20th C) Both A and B D) 21st
Answer: B) 20th
Explanation: Early–mid 20th century, tested in SET. - Which social issue was prominent in Faulkner’s time?
A) Racial segregation B) Digital divide C) Climate change D) Globalization
Answer: A) Racial segregation
Explanation: Reflected in novels, tested in NET. - Which movement influenced Faulkner?
A) Modernism B) Romanticism C) Postmodernism D) Classicism
Answer: A) Modernism
Explanation: Joyce’s techniques, tested in JNUET. - Which war impacted The Unvanquished?
A) Civil War B) World War I C) World War II D) Korean War
Answer: A) Civil War
Explanation: Sartoris family, tested in NET. - In which era is The Sound and the Fury set?
A) Modernist B) Romantic C) Victorian D) Postmodern
Answer: A) Modernist
Explanation: Early 20th century, tested in SET. - Which issue did Faulkner address in Intruder in the Dust?
A) Racial injustice B) Women’s rights C) Voting rights D) Education reform
Answer: A) Racial injustice
Explanation: Southern society, tested in JNUET. - Which region did Faulkner depict?
A) American South B) New England C) Midwest D) West Coast
Answer: A) American South
Explanation: Yoknapatawpha County, tested in NET. - Which reform did Faulkner support?
A) Civil rights B) Temperance C) Suffrage D) Education
Answer: A) Civil rights
Explanation: Later essays, tested in SET. - In which year was The Sound and the Fury published?
A) 1929 B) 1931 C) 1933 D) 1935
Answer: A) 1929
Explanation: Groundbreaking novel, tested in NET. - Which social issue is in Light in August?
A) Racial identity B) Prison reform C) Women’s rights D) Class prejudice
Answer: A) Racial identity
Explanation: Joe Christmas, tested in JNUET. - Which era influenced A Fable?
A) Modernist B) Romantic C) Victorian D) Postmodern
Answer: A) Modernist
Explanation: World War I context, tested in NET. - Which issue did Faulkner address in Absalom, Absalom!?
A) Southern decline B) Digital divide C) Climate change D) Globalization
Answer: A) Southern decline
Explanation: Sutpen family, tested in SET. - Which movement shaped Faulkner’s novels?
A) Southern Gothic B) Realism C) Symbolism D) Romanticism
Explanation: Dark themes, tested in JNUET. - In which year was As I Lay Dying published?
A) 1928 B) 1930 C) 1932 D) 1934
Answer: B) 1930
Explanation: Major novel, tested in NET. - Which issue is in Go Down, Moses?
A) Race and heritage B) Prison reform C) Labor disputes D) Women’s rights
Answer: A) Race and heritage
Explanation: McCaslin family, tested in SET. - Which era is The Reivers set in?
A) Modernist B) Romantic C) Victorian D) Postmodern
Answer: A) Modernist
Explanation: Early 20th century, tested in NET. - Which issue did Faulkner address in Sanctuary?
A) Corruption B) Prison reform C) Women’s rights D) Class prejudice
Answer: A) Corruption
Explanation: Temple Drake, tested in JNUET. - Which war influenced Faulkner’s early works?
A) World War I B) World War II C) Civil War D) Korean War
Answer: A) World War I
Explanation: Attempted to enlist, tested in NET. - In which year was Absalom, Absalom! published?
A) 1934 B) 1936 C) 1938 D) 1940
Answer: B) 1936
Explanation: Major novel, tested in SET. - Which issue is in The Sound and the Fury?
A) Family decline B) Prison reform C) Labor disputes D) Women’s rights
Answer: A) Family decline
Explanation: Compson family, tested in JNUET. - Which era influenced Light in August?
A) Modernist B) Romantic C) Victorian D) Postmodern
Answer: A) Modernist
Explanation: Racial themes, tested in NET. - Which issue did Faulkner address in The Unvanquished?
A) Resilience B) Prison reform C) Labor disputes D) Class prejudice
Answer: A) Resilience
Explanation: Sartoris family, tested in SET. - In which year was Go Down, Moses published?
A) 1940 B) 1942 C) 1944 D) 1946
Answer: B) 1942
Explanation: Story collection, tested in NET.
Critical Analysis (21 Questions)
- How does Faulkner use narrative in The Sound and the Fury?
A) Stream-of-consciousness B) Linear storytelling C) Epistolary form D) Single narrator
Answer: A) Stream-of-consciousness
Explanation: Multiple perspectives, tested in NET. - What is the role of Quentin in The Sound and the Fury?
A) Symbol of guilt B) Comic element C) Legal metaphor D) Romantic hero
Answer: A) Symbol of guilt
Explanation: Family honor, tested in JNUET. - How does Faulkner depict race in Light in August?
A) As a tragic force B) As comedic C) As legal D) As materialistic
Answer: A) As a tragic force
Explanation: Joe Christmas, tested in NET. - What is the significance of the journey in As I Lay Dying?
A) Symbol of duty B) Comic element C) Legal metaphor D) Materialistic icon
Answer: A) Symbol of duty
Explanation: Bundren family, tested in JNUET. - How does Faulkner use time in The Sound and the Fury?
A) Nonlinearly B) Linearly C) Cyclically D) Statically
Answer: A) Nonlinearly
Explanation: Fragmented narrative, tested in SET. - What is the narrative style of Absalom, Absalom!?
A) Multiple narrators B) Single narrator C) Stream of consciousness D) Epistolary
Answer: A) Multiple narrators
Explanation: Complex storytelling, tested in NET. - How does Faulkner depict justice in Intruder in the Dust?
A) Through moral conflict B) Through comedy C) Through romance D) Through war
Answer: A) Through moral conflict
Explanation: Racial injustice, tested in JNUET. - What is the role of Thomas Sutpen in Absalom, Absalom!?
A) Symbol of ambition B) Comic element C) Legal symbol D) Materialistic icon
Answer: A) Symbol of ambition
Explanation: Tragic figure, tested in NET. - How does Faulkner use setting in Light in August?
A) To depict isolation B) To explore war C) To critique law D) To promote comedy
Answer: A) To depict isolation
Explanation: Southern society, tested in JNUET. - What is the tone of Absalom, Absalom!?
A) Tragic B) Satirical C) Optimistic D) Comedic
Answer: A) Tragic
Explanation: Sutpen’s downfall, tested in NET. - How does Faulkner depict morality in Sanctuary?
A) Through corruption B) Through comedy C) Through romance D) Through war
Answer: A) Through corruption
Explanation: Temple Drake, tested in JNUET. - What is the role of Lucius in The Reivers?
A) Coming-of-age hero B) Romantic hero C) Legal advocate D) Comic relief
Answer: A) Coming-of-age hero
Explanation: Moral growth, tested in NET. - How does Faulkner use imagery in The Sound and the Fury?
A) To depict decay B) To explore war C) To promote comedy D) To critique society
Answer: A) To depict decay
Explanation: Southern decline, tested in SET. - What is the significance of the coffin in As I Lay Dying?
A) Symbol of duty B) Comic setting C) Legal metaphor D) Materialistic icon
Answer: A) Symbol of duty
Explanation: Bundren journey, tested in NET. - How does Faulkner depict resilience in The Unvanquished?
A) Through survival B) As comedic C) As legalistic D) As materialistic
Answer: A) Through survival
Explanation: Sartoris family, tested in JNUET. - What is the role of heritage in Go Down, Moses?
A) Symbol of conflict B) Comic element C) Legal metaphor D) Materialistic symbol
Answer: A) Symbol of conflict
Explanation: McCaslin family, tested in SET. - How does Faulkner use structure in Absalom, Absalom!?
A) To reflect complexity B) To depict comedy C) To critique law D) To promote war
Answer: A) To reflect complexity
Explanation: Nonlinear narrative, tested in NET. - What is the significance of Yoknapatawpha County?
A) Represents the South B) Depicts war C) Critiques society D) Explores romance
Answer: A) Represents the South
Explanation: Fictional setting, tested in JNUET. - How does Faulkner depict conflict in A Fable?
A) As moral struggle B) As comedic C) As legalistic D) As materialistic
Answer: A) As moral struggle
Explanation: Allegorical, tested in SET. - What is the role of time in Requiem for a Nun?
A) Symbol of past B) Comic setting C) Legal metaphor D) Romantic icon
Answer: A) Symbol of past
Explanation: Southern history, tested in NET. - How does Faulkner use symbolism in Light in August?
A) To depict isolation B) To explore comedy C) To critique law D) To promote war
Answer: A) To depict isolation
Explanation: Joe Christmas, tested in JNUET.
Conclusion
William Faulkner’s novels, with their stream-of-consciousness and Southern Gothic lens, offer profound insights into family, race, and time. From The Sound and the Fury to Absalom, Absalom!, his work resonates with complex themes. These 151 MCQs cover his biography, works, quotes, themes, and critical analysis, equipping you for success in UPSC, UGC NET, SET, TGT, PGT, CTET, DUET, JNUET, and SSC CGL exams.
Next Steps: Revise quotes like “The past is never dead” and focus on The Sound and the Fury for JNUET and NET!
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