Light in August - William FaulknerA landmark in American fiction, Light in August explores Faulkner's central theme: the nature of evil. Joe Christmas a man doomed, deracinated and alone wanders the Deep South in search of an identity, and a place in society. After killing his perverted God fearing lover, it becomes inevitable that he is pursued by a lynch hungry mob. Yet after the sacrifice, there is new life, a determined ray of light in Faulkner's complex and tragic world.