Introduction
William Faulkner’s Go Down, Moses (1942), a collection of interconnected stories set in the American South, explores themes of race, inheritance, and the human relationship with nature. Central to this is the character Isaac (Ike) McCaslin, whose experiences in the wilderness, particularly through hunting, reflect broader American myths. This essay examines the motif of the hunt in Go Down, Moses, focusing on Ike, in relation to Richard Slotkin’s concept of “regeneration through violence” from his seminal work Regeneration Through Violence: The Mythology of the American Frontier, 1600-1860 (1973). Slotkin argues that American identity is shaped by a mythic narrative where violence against the frontier regenerates individuals and society, often through conquest of nature and indigenous peoples. Ike participates in this trend by engaging with the wilderness in ways that both embody and critique this myth, ultimately seeking personal redemption. The analysis will draw on literary evidence to evaluate how Ike’s actions align with, yet complicate, Slotkin’s framework, highlighting the limitations of such regeneration in a post-frontier context.
The Myth of Regeneration Through Violence
Richard Slotkin’s theory posits that the American frontier myth relies on violence as a regenerative force, transforming settlers into renewed beings through encounters with the wild (Slotkin, 1973). This idea, rooted in early American literature and history, suggests that acts of hunting, exploration, and conquest purge societal corruption, fostering a “new” American identity. For instance, Slotkin examines how narratives from the colonial era depict violence against nature—such as killing wild animals—as symbolic rites that rejuvenate the individual, often at the expense of indigenous cultures and the environment.
In the context of Faulkner’s work, this myth resonates with the Southern Gothic tradition, where the wilderness represents both purity and peril. Critics like Cleanth Brooks have noted how Faulkner’s portrayal of the South’s fading frontier echoes national myths of renewal through primal struggle (Brooks, 1963). However, Slotkin’s framework also reveals limitations; regeneration is not always positive, as it can perpetuate cycles of destruction. Indeed, this myth’s applicability to 20th-century literature, such as Go Down, Moses, invites scrutiny of how characters like Ike navigate its violent imperatives in a modern, depleted landscape.
Hunting in Go Down, Moses and Ike’s Initiation
In Go Down, Moses, the hunt serves as a pivotal motif, particularly in stories like “The Old People” and “The Bear,” where Ike undergoes rites of passage in the Mississippi wilderness. Ike’s participation in hunting rituals aligns closely with Slotkin’s regeneration thesis. As a young boy, Ike is mentored by Sam Fathers, a mixed-race woodsman, who teaches him to respect the wilderness while engaging in its violent conquest. The killing of his first buck, for example, marks a transformative moment, symbolizing Ike’s entry into manhood and a regenerated self, purged of urban detachment (Faulkner, 1942). This echoes Slotkin’s description of frontier hunters who achieve spiritual renewal through violent acts against nature, as the hunt “regenerates” Ike by connecting him to ancestral legacies.
Furthermore, the pursuit of Old Ben, the legendary bear, embodies the mythic struggle. Ike’s repeated failures and eventual success in the hunt represent a violent confrontation with the untamed frontier, leading to personal growth. As Slotkin (1973) argues, such violence fosters a mythic heroism, and Ike’s experiences arguably reinforce this by idealizing the wilderness as a space for moral rebirth. However, Ike’s reverence for the land—evident in his reluctance to exploit it—adds nuance, suggesting a participation that is reflective rather than purely destructive.
Ike’s Participation and Critique of the Myth
Ike’s role extends beyond mere embodiment; he actively participates in the regeneration trend while subverting it through his later renunciation of his family’s plantation inheritance. In “Delta Autumn,” an older Ike reflects on the hunt’s legacy, recognizing how violence has degraded the wilderness (Faulkner, 1942). This awareness critiques Slotkin’s myth, as Ike rejects the cycle of exploitation that regeneration often entails, choosing instead a life of simplicity. Scholar Eric J. Sundquist observes that Ike’s actions challenge the frontier narrative by exposing its racial and environmental costs, thus limiting the myth’s redemptive power (Sundquist, 1983).
Typically, Slotkin’s framework applies to expansive frontiers, but in Faulkner’s confined South, Ike’s “regeneration” is incomplete, marked by guilt over slavery and land theft. Therefore, while Ike participates by embracing the hunt’s violent rites, he complicates the trend by highlighting its failures—regeneration becomes illusory in a corrupted world. This evaluation draws on a range of perspectives, including Slotkin’s historical lens and Faulkner’s literary irony, to argue that Ike embodies the myth’s enduring appeal yet reveals its obsolescence.
Conclusion
In summary, Ike McCaslin’s engagement with the hunt in Go Down, Moses exemplifies Richard Slotkin’s regeneration through violence, as his wilderness experiences foster personal renewal amid primal struggle. However, Ike’s reflective critique and renunciation underscore the myth’s limitations in addressing deeper societal wounds like racism and environmental loss. This analysis implies that while the frontier myth persists in American literature, characters like Ike signal its evolution toward introspection rather than unchecked violence. Ultimately, Faulkner’s work invites readers to question the sustainability of such regeneration, offering a poignant commentary on American identity.
References
- Brooks, C. (1963) William Faulkner: The Yoknapatawpha Country. Yale University Press.
- Faulkner, W. (1942) Go Down, Moses. Random House.
- Slotkin, R. (1973) Regeneration Through Violence: The Mythology of the American Frontier, 1600-1860. Wesleyan University Press.
- Sundquist, E. J. (1983) Faulkner: The House Divided. Johns Hopkins University Press.
