The Reivers Themes
Coming of Age
Eleven-year-old Lucius Priest's adventures with his friend Boon indoctrinate him into a world of sex, corruption, and rock 'n' roll (okay, more like ragtime). In other words, he enters adulthood, a...
Men and Masculinity
Like most dudes, Lucius learns how to be a man from the guys who surround him. In The Reivers, he goes through the process like osmosis, absorbing masculine qualities from Grandfather and Boon and...
Respect and Reputation
What makes Boss Priest, well, such a boss? Answer: he's old, he's rich, and he has a car. Patriarchal status goes far in Faulkner's South, especially during a time that valued hospitality and decor...
Foolishness and Folly
The only wisdom to be gained in The Reivers is the wisdom that adult-Lucius drops throughout in order to make things a little more respectable. Otherwise, it's all foolishness and folly—especiall...
Technology and Modernization
The Reivers takes place in a time when it was the almighty automobile that brought folks into the modern era. In fact, Faulkner offers an interesting look at how the landscape in 1905 was not actua...
Manipulation
Peer pressure, folks—it's a thing. Just ask Lucius, our hero, who's constantly finding himself manipulated by the big boys. Well, okay, but is he really that naïve? Or does he allow himself to b...
Lies and Deceit
Can we get a Big Mac with a side of lies?Sorry.Anyway, lies, lies, and more lies: that's what we've got in The Reivers. From the moment he agrees to help Boon sneak Boss Priest's car out of town, L...
Women and Femininity
Well, folks, most of the women we meet in The Reivers work in a brothel, so you can bet your behinds there's going to be some questions raised about the role of women here. The women in this novel...