NCHS AP English Language

time and people-kate pennebaker

Many people make the mistake of letting the past affect the present which results in their future. In Light in August, Gail Hightower is a prime example of this. Gail is a preach whose father fought in the Civil War, which is an event that he is obsessed with. While he gives his homilies, he focuses mainly on the vivid details of the war and not on the Lords message. This upsets many people who feel he is not fit to be a minister. Another instance of how time affects Gail's life is that he does not make enough time for his wife. Because of this neglect, she ends up having a long distance affair and eventually, jumping to her death from a balcony. All of these sketchy events lead to Jefferson being fired from his job and asked to leave Jefferson. He quit preaching, however he refused to leave town. This angered many people who committed acts of violence towards him and his home. Eventually they became apathetic towards the man, sometimes forgetting he even existed. Most of Hightower's problems seem to derive from mixing the past with the present, resulting in a pretty awful future.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 8:43 PM