Go Down, Moses is one of the many acclaimed works of William Faulkner, a Nobel Prize-winning American author best known for his modernist novel The Sound and the Fury. Published in 1942, Go Down, Moses is a collection of seven stories, taking place in Faulkner's fictional county of Yoknapatawpha, that are primarily set in the late 19th century and early 20th century. This compilation of stories offers vivid depictions of culture, life, and race relations in the American Deep South during this time period. Through his characterization, Faulkner conveys themes including racial oppression, family legacies, and morality.
The seven stories in the collection are “Was,” “The Fire and the Hearth,” “The Old People,” “Pantaloon in Black,” “Go Down, Moses,” “The Bear,” and “Delta Autumn.” The title of the compilation comes from the sixth story, “Go Down, Moses,” which follows the protagonist Ike McCaslin and his journey as he discovers the truth about his African American heritage and the legacy of slavery in his family.
The first story, “Was,” serves as an introduction to the remainder of the compilation. It tells the story of an African American family from slavery to freedom. This story serves as a reminder to the reader that their ancestors were slaves and acknowledges their suffering.
In “The Fire and the Hearth,” a spinster named Mink Snopes, who is related to the Snopes family in Faulkner’s other works, tells the story of her life. Mink’s story serves as a representation of the oppression of women and African Americans in the Deep South.
The following story, “The Old People,” follows an aging African American preacher who hopes to provide comfort to his sick daughter with his sermons and tales of the old ways. As the preacher reflects upon his life, the reader is confronted with the harsh realities of racism that can be found in the Deep South.
The fourth story, “Pantaloon in Black,” tells the story of an African American man, referred to by the nickname Pantaloon, whose wife has died. Pantaloon spends the remainder of the story in mourning, his grief providing insight into the emotions at the time.
The fifth story and title story, “Go Down, Moses,” follows Ike McCaslin as he attempts to discover the truth of his family’s past. The story takes place on a hunting trip that Ike takes with his cousin Cass and several African American hunters. As the story progresses, Ike becomes aware of his family’s history of owning slaves and struggles to find a way to reconcile his newfound knowledge with his religious beliefs.
The sixth story, “The Bear,” centers on a group of hunters as they set out to hunt for a large bear, or “Old Ben.” The hunters eventually find the bear but decide to spare it, realizing that it is not merely an animal and should be treated with respect.
The seventh and final story, “Delta Autumn,” serves as a conclusion to the collection as a whole. The story follows the character of Ike McCaslin as he returns to his family’s land to confront his family’s legacy of race and class relations. This story serves to remind the reader of Ike’s journey throughout the collection and the moral choices he must make.
Overall, William Faulkner’s Go Down, Moses is a powerful work that not only serves as an important snapshot of the Deep South at the turn of the 20th century, but also provides reflections on morality, race, and oppression. Through his characterization and vivid depictions, Faulkner tells the stories of everyday people whose struggles and struggles echo those of generations of Americans before them.
