1997 Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference

In celebration of the centennial of William Faulkner's birth, this year's Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference will gather together more than 20 of the most important Faulkner scholars in the world to discuss the life and work of the writer many believe to be the finest American novelist of the 20th century. "Faulkner at 100: Retrospect and Prospect" (July 27- August 1, 1997) will be a major attempt to address those issues that have become central to Faulkner studies as well as those that may become so.

To encompass the many questions that warrant attention at this time, the program will vary from its usual format, reducing the number of formal lectures in order to institute a series of panel presentations. Among the topics these panels will take up are (1) Faulkner's achievement: what is it and why does it seem (if it does) necessary? (2) The Career: how do we now view the trajectory of Faulkner's development? Where are the crucial shifts, the puzzle points? Are there aspects of that career that have been overpraised? neglected? (3) Untapped Faulkner: is there a Faulkner still to emerge, a Faulkner we have not yet come to terms with? What are the issues that will carry Faulkner into the future, as--to use his own language--a footprint rather than a monument"? (4) What is his place in the American literary tradition? In what sense is he an American writer? What myths does he strengthen and which does he challenge? (5) Who was William Faulkner? Now, nearly a quarter-century after the first full-scale biography, how do we know him?

Among the Faulkner scholars who will be addressing the conference are Andre Bleikasten, University of Strasbourg; Thadious Davis, Vanderbilt University; Doreen Fowler, University of Kansas; Lothar Honnighausen, University of Bonn; Arthur Kinney, University of Massachusetts; John T. Matthews, Boston University; Michael Millgate, University of Toronto; David Minter, Rice University; Noel Polk, University of Southern Mississippi; Carolyn Porter, University of California at Berkeley; Judith Sensibar, Arizona State University; Warwick Wadlington, University of Texas; Philip Weinstein, Swarthmore College; Judith Wittenberg, Simmons College.

Among our special guests will be General Joseph L. Fant, coeditor of Faulkner at West Point, and Albert Murray, author of The Omni-Americans: New Perspectives on Black Experience and American Culture, The Hero and the Blues, Train Whistle Guitar, Stomping the Blues, The Spyglass Tree, and his most recent book, The Seven-League Boots: A Novel.

In addition to these and other literary scholars the conference will include discussions by Faulkner friends and family, a slide presentation by J. M. Faulkner and Meg Faulkner DuChaine, and sessions on "Teaching Faulkner." Also scheduled are guided tours of Faulkner's home and sites relevant to his fiction, as well as Oxford and the surrounding area of North Mississippi. The University's John Davis Williams Library will display Faulkner books, manuscripts, photographs, and memorabilia; and the University Press of Mississippi will exhibit Faulkner books published by university presses throughout the United States. Also, films relating to the author's life and work will be available for viewing during the week. The conference will begin on Sunday, July 27, with a reception at the University Museums for the opening of the exhibition Faulkner's World: The Photographs of Martin J. Dain, mounted by Tom Rankin, followed by a program of readings and music based on Faulkner's work. Also on the afternoon program will be the announcement of the winners of the eighth Faux Faulkner Contest. The contest, coordinated by the author's niece, Dean Faulkner Wells, is sponsored by Jack Daniels Distillery, Yoknapatawpha Press and its Faulkner Newsletter, and the University of Mississippi.

Other events on Sunday will include a buffet supper served at the home of Dr. and Mrs. M. B. Howorth Jr. Tours of North Mississippi are scheduled for Tuesday, and a picnic will be served at Rowan Oak on Wednesday. The conference will end on Friday, August 1, with a reception at Faulkner's childhood home, now owned by Betty Jane Gary.

You can obtain more information about the faulkner conference from our web site.