09/19/2007
OXFORD, Miss. – William Faulkner would have been 110 years
old Tuesday (Sept. 25) and officials at the University of
Mississippi expect hundreds of visitors to converge at his
Rowan Oak home to mark the occasion.
“Throughout each year, we have approximately 20,000 people
from around the world to visit Rowan Oak,” said its curator
William Griffith. “A lot of people consider Faulkner’s
birthday celebration to serve as a sort of pilgrimage, and
we expect a couple hundred people to attend this year.”
For the celebration, the university is hosting a 7 a.m.-5
p.m. marathon reading of the Nobel Prize-winner’s novel “Go
Down, Moses.” Organizers predict that it will take some 60
volunteers to read through the nearly 400-page book.
“We have community members, students and tourists on the
reading schedule,” said Stephen Monroe, instructor in
English. “It should be a wonderful celebration.” (To
volunteer as a reader or for more information, contact the
English department at 662-915-1493 or e-mail
godown@olemiss.edu.)
The celebration closes with the singing of “Go Down, Moses”
and other spirituals by the East St. Peter’s Missionary
Baptist Church choir of Lafayette County. Birthday cake and
Pepsi, a Faulkner favorite, are to be served on the
grounds.
Published in 1942, “Go Down, Moses” is an episodic novel of
seven short stories. Set in Faulkner’s mythic Yoknapatawpha
County, the novel examines the complex, changing
relationships between blacks and whites and between man and
nature. The most prominent character and unifying voice is
Isaac McCaslin or “Uncle Ike.”
Rowan Oak, located near the UM campus, was purchased by
Faulkner in 1930. Now owned by the university, the home
serves as a museum and includes Faulkner’s own furniture,
smoking pipe and typewriter.
A guarded individual who enjoyed his privacy, the author
probably wouldn’t understand all of the fuss over the
celebration, Griffith said.
“Faulkner would be annoyed; he’d probably be a little
perplexed at all of the fascination over his life and work,
but most artists do seem to underrate their value.”
University of Kansas English professor James Carothers,
author of “William Faulkner’s Short Stories” and founding
co-editor of The Faulkner Journal, is looking forward to
making the 635-mile journey from Lawrence, Kan., to Oxford
for the celebration.
“Rowan Oak is a spiritual place to visit, and Faulkner’s
birthday is a special way to celebrate the man instead of
the iconic writing figure that he was,” Carothers said.
Directions to Rowan Oak: From the 1300 block of South Lamar
Blvd., turn west onto Old Taylor Road. The property is
located on the north side at the first hard curve. The
historic marker is half-hidden in the trees.
Rowan Oak is open to visitors 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tuesday-Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sundays; it is closed
Mondays. Guided tours are available by calling
662-234-3284.
Take a virtual tour of Rowan Oak by visiting
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/u?museum/rowan?oak/
interactive.html