Absalom, Absalom!, Faulkner’s eighth novel, published in 1936,is generally recognized as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Its center is the rise and fall of Thomas Sutpen, the “ruthless patriarch of a great southern family”(Byerman 129), who Absalom, Absalom !, Faulkner’s eighth novel, published in 1936, is generally recognized as one of the greatest American novels ever written. Its center is the rise and fall of Thomas Sutpen, the “ruthless patriarch of a great southern family” Byerman 129), who