Absalom, Absalom Lesson Plan

Absalom, Absalom! is an extremely difficult novel to read and teach. For one, the prose is difficult and can require multiple readings to fully understand. Even with some of the materials provided (a classroom activity that helps students to break down long sentences into manageable pieces), some students may be frustrated. They should be given the space to critique this aspect of Faulkner's writing while still being encouraged to persevere and consider why he wrote in this way. But more importantly, the novel is primarily concerned with race and racism in America. While Faulkner is known for his brutally honest and accurate depictions of the horrors of the American South, there remain...