William Faulkner and Frank McCourt: Emotional Writings

Many tragedies have occurred during the last century. William Faulkner believes the greatest tragedy of the last century is that modern writers no longer write of the spirit. On the other hand, in his memoir, Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt asserts the Catholic Irish childhood is far worse. However, both tragedies are related as McCourt’s emotional account of his misfortunes exemplifies the profound influence of literature that Faulkner desires other writers to have. In his Nobel Prize acceptance speech, William Faulkner sets the standards of good literature that Frank McCourt adheres to through his writings of suffering and compassion.

William Faulkner claims it’s the writer’s duty to focus on the universal feelings of love, honor, pity, pride, compassion, and sacrifice. Unfortunately, modern writers no longer concern themselves with “the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself” (Faulkner). These authors only wish to illustrate the story, thinking the lesson lies in the conclusion. However, the greater morals remain with the characters’ responses to these adversities, so the story is only a vessel in which the “universal truths” are conveyed. Using the emotional appeals of the story, the author must “help man endure by lift his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past.” All people have felt and understand these emotions, but by ignoring them, modern writers have not left a “scar” on readers. Faulkner hopes to enlighten these young writers so that they continue the meritorious work of helping man to endure. Without Faulkner’s standard of good literature, all emotion will be lost in modern informative literature.

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...orgive oneself for one’s mistakes (343). Although the reader is reminded of the shame of his past, the author, through the character’s consolation, lifts his heart to its prior honor, honor, and compassion. Frank McCourt does as Faulkner suggested and helps the reader endure his own pain mirrored by the character’s confrontation with adversity.

In this coming of age story, the reader not only experiences the characters’ suffering and compassion but also shares these emotions with the characters. Faulkner asserted that this connection is essential for good literature, and Frank McCourt succeeds through his writings on suffering and compassion. With the emotional turmoil of the characters, the reader hopes for reconciliation for both the character and himself, so Faulkner’s good literature shows the reader previous falls so that he may prevent his own and prevail.