A 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.