From the Archives: Faulkner and Talladega Nights

One of the most visited postings throughout the years on the old Book Shopper blog (2009-2025) was “William Faulkner, Talladega Nights and the Old South” which posted on October 24, 2012.

This came to mind while I was reading Faulkner’s Light in August (1932) for the GRSG “book club” and the accompanying book Michael Gorra’s: The Saddest Words: William Faulkner’s Civil War (2020). In short, if you’re going to read Faulkner which is kind of a slog at times, the Gorra book can really help in framing Faulkner’s legacy in 20th century American literature….

OR

The next time — the next umpteenth time — you watch the Adam McKay comedy Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby  starring Will Ferrell note at the very end of the motion picture, past the credits, past the outtakes (depending on which version you are watching) there is a scene where Ricky Bobby’s mother Lucy (played by Jane Lynch) finishes reading William Faulkner’s The Bear  to her grandsons J.R. and Walker Texas Ranger. In the scene, Lucy finishes reading and sets down the book:

Lucy: So what do you think that story is about?

J.R.: The Bear symbolizes the Old South and Lion the new dog symbolizes the creeping industrialization of the North.

Walker:  Duh, but the question is “Shouldn’t Boon feel the relief or sadness at the passing of the Old South?”

Lucy: Well, How about both?

Walker: Oh, I get it. Moral ambiguity. The hallmark of all early 20th Century American fiction.

J.R.: Great analysis, Walker.

William Faulkner and Talladega Nights: Timeless.