Intruder in the Dust: Analysis of Major Characters
"Intruder in the Dust" is a novel that intricately explores themes of justice, race, and moral obligation through its key characters. The story centers around Charles (Chick) Mallison, a sixteen-year-old boy who forms an unexpected bond with Lucas Beauchamp, an elderly black man. After a chance encounter leads to Lucas helping Chick during a hunting accident, the dynamics of debt and obligation are set in motion, particularly when Lucas is later accused of murder. Chick's journey to assist Lucas highlights the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and racial tensions in the Southern United States.
The character of Lucas Beauchamp stands out not only for his dignity and refusal of payment but also for the way he embodies the struggles faced by African Americans in the mid-20th century. Supporting characters like Gavin Stevens, Chick's uncle, and Miss Habersham, an ally, further enrich the narrative by showcasing different perspectives within the community. Aleck Sander, Chick's young black friend, plays a crucial role in the quest for justice, illustrating the importance of solidarity across racial lines. The antagonist, Crawford Gowrie, ultimately serves as a pivotal figure whose actions shape the resolution of the story. Collectively, these characters create a compelling exploration of morality and the fight for truth in a complex social landscape.
Intruder in the Dust: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: William Faulkner
First published: 1948
Genre: Novel
Locale: Jefferson, Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi
Plot: Detective and mystery
Time: Early 1930's
Charles (Chick) Mallison, a sixteen-year-old boy. While hunting with two companions, he falls through the ice and is taken home by an old black man, Lucas Beauchamp, to dry out and have some food. All offers of payment are refused by Lucas, leaving Chick with an unpaid obligation on his conscience. When Lucas is accused of murder, Chick goes to the old man's assistance and helps to prove his innocence. He feels himself free of his debt until Lucas appears and insists on paying for services rendered.
Lucas Beauchamp, an old black man. When he takes Chick Mallison home after an accident, he proudly refuses payment for his hospitality and puts the boy in his debt. Later, when Lucas is falsely accused of murder, he is assisted by Chick, who believes he has evened the score until the old man comes to pay for services rendered. When Lucas' two dollars are accepted for “expenses,” he demands a receipt.
Gavin Stevens, Chick Mallison's uncle and the lawyer for Lucas Beauchamp.
Aleck Sander, Chick Mallison's young black friend and companion in his efforts to prove Lucas Beauchamp's innocence.
Miss Habersham, an old woman of good family who assists Chick Mallison and Aleck Sander in their efforts on behalf of Lucas Beauchamp.
Hope Hampton,thesheriff.
Crawford Gowrie, the murderer, the proof of whose guilt saves the falsely accused Lucas Beauchamp from the violence of a mob.