William Faulkner:
A Guide to the Learning Resources Available
at the University Library, University of Louisiana at Monroe


The University Library has a substantial collection of information materials and learning resources to support the study of the life and works of William Faulkner at the undergraduate and advanced levels. The materials include the reference collection, the main book holdings, the serials collection, and the on-line databases and Web sites. In addition, the library provides access to resources held at other facilities through the library’s Internet account, and by the inter-library loan service.

Materials dealing with Faulkner and his works can be obtained by searching the LOUIS catalog. Some basic search sentences would be:

A=Faulkner, William

T=(by name of specific novel or short story)

S=Faulkner, William

S=Novelists--American--20th Century

S=American Fiction--20th Century

S=Yoknapatawpha County

S=Motion Pictures and Literature

S=Mississippi in Literature


General Reference Works

Handbooks
Cox, Leland H. (ed). William Faulkner: A Biographical and Reference Guide. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1982.

Presents a biography of Faulkner, and a book-by-book discussion of his novels. A further chapter is devoted to

Faulkner’s short stories. Includes a chronology of Faulkner’s life. Intended for students and the general reader.

[Ref PS 3511.A86 Z773 1982]

Tuck, Dorothy. Crowell’s Handbook of Faulkner. New York: Crowell, 1964.

A guide to the plots of Faulkner novels and short stories. Also includes a dictionary of characters, a biography of

Faulkner, and a history of Yoknapatawpha County.

[Ref PS 3511.A86 Z978]

Volpe, Edmond Loris. A Reader’s Guide to William Faulkner. New York: Farrar, Straus, 1964.

The first section of the book describes the dominant patterns and major themes of Faulkner’s writings. Other parts

provide individual interpretation to the Faulkner novels, as well as a detailed chronology of events to seven selected

novels.

[Stacks PS 3511.A86 Z983]

Glossaries
Brown, Calvin S.
A Glossary of Faulkner’s South. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976.

A glossary of the words which require explanation drawn from Faulkner’s works set in the South. Includes plants,

animals, place-names, little known historical characters, tools, and guns. Entries are arranged by alphabetical order in a

single listing ignoring hyphens, apostrophes, and word-separation.

[Ref PS 3511.A86 Z49 1976]

Concordances
Smart, George K. Religious Elements in Faulkner’s Early Novels: A Selective Concordance. Coral

Gables, Florida: University of Miami Press, 1965.

A selective concordance of religious terms used in Soldiers’ Pay, Mosquitoes, Sartoris. Each term is accompanied

by a quote illustrating its use. An introduction discusses the relation of religion to Faulkner’s themes, characters, and

rhetoric.

[Stacks PS 3511.A86 Z972]

Characters
Dasher, Thomas E. William Faulkner’s Characters: An Index to the Published and Unpublished Fiction. New York:

Garland, 1981.

An index to all the characters in Faulkner’s works. Arranges entries under the name of the individual work. Includes the

named and unnamed fictional characters, historical figures, and literary/mythic characters. Has a master index to the

entries.

[Ref PS 3511.A86 Z7816 1981]

Everett, Walter K. Faulkner’s Art and Characters. Woodbury, New York: Barron’s Educational Series, 1969.

A dictionary of 1,200 Faulkner characters. Supplemented by commentaries on Faulkner’s short stories and novels.

[Stacks PS 3511.A86 Z77825]

Ford, Margaret Patricia. Who’s Who in Faulkner. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1963.

Identifies the key fictional characters in Faulkner’s fiction. Entries are arranged in one alphabetical list.

[Ref PS 3511.A86 Z784]

Kirk, Robert Warner, and Klotz, Marvin. Faulkner’s People: A Complete Guide and Index to Characters in the

Fiction of William Faulkner. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1963.

Includes over 1200 named persons found in the 19 novels and 94 short stories and sketches. A brief description is

provided for each entry, as well as references to each page the character appeared on in the novel or short story.

[Ref PS 3511.A86 Z87]

Plots
Magill, Frank N. (ed.). Masterplots. New York: Salem Press.

Presents a series of synopses and essay reviews of a selection of titles drawn from the world literature. Works are

arranged by title. Accompanied by an author index directing user to volume. A selection of Faulkner’s works are

studied in the following series:

Masterplots: Library Edition. 8 volumes. [Ready Ref PN 44.M33]

Masterplots American Fiction Series. 3 volumes. [Ready Ref PN 843.M15 1985]

Masterplots II: Short Story Series. 6 volumes. [Ready Ref PN 3326.M27 1986]

Biographies
Clark, Randall (ed.). Dictionary of Literary Biography Volume 44. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1986. p.123-131.

Comments on Faulkner’s career as a screenwriter. Includes several still photographs from the films for which Faulkner

wrote the screenplays.

[Ref PN 451.D53s v.44]

Magill, Frank N. Critical Survey of Long Fiction Volume 3. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Salem Press, 1983.

p.914-937.

A lengthy chapter which examines Faulkner’s works in long fiction. Also outlines his achievements and biography, as

well as lists his principal works in long fiction and other literary forms.

[Ref PN 3451.C7 v.3]

Magill, Frank N. Critical Survey of Mystery and Detective Fiction Volume 2. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Salem

Press, 1988. p.585-591.

A short analysis which considers Faulkner’s employment of the conventions and devices of the mystery and detective

fiction genre.

[Ref PN 3448.D4 C75 1988 v.2]

Martine, James J. (ed.). Dictionary of Literary Biography Volume 9: American Novelists, 1910-1945 - Part I. Detroit:

Gale Research Company, 1981. p.282-302.

Comments on Faulkner’s novels. Includes biography, bibliography, and photographs.

[Ref PN 451.D53s v.9 pt.1]

Trachtenberg, Stanley (ed.). Dictionary of Literary Biography Volume 11: American Humorists, 1800-1950. Detroit:

Gale Research Company, 1982. p.134-146.

A critical examination of Faulkner’s use of comedy in his fiction. Contains a bibliography of Faulkner’s writings and

citations of secondary works on him. Chapter is accompanied by illustrations and photographs.

[Ref PN 451.D53s v.11 p.1]

Unger, Leonard (ed.). American Writers: A Collection of Literary Biography Volume II. New York: Charles Scribner’s

Sons, 1972. p.54-76.

A biographical essay on Faulkner’s life with some comment on his writings. Includes a bibliography.

[Ref PS 129.A55]

Criticism
Bloom, Harold (ed.). The Chelsea House Library of Literary Criticism Twentieth Century American Literature

Volume 3. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. p.1303-1367.

The writings on Faulkner are arranged under the headings general, which considers his body of work as a whole, and by

the name of the individual piece. The presented criticism is both short excerpts and passages, as well as complete

essays.

[Ref PS 221.T834 1985 v.3]

Contemporary Literary Criticism. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 197?-.

Presents significant passages of published criticism. Writings on Faulkner’s career as a whole are presented in volumes

1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 14, 18, 28, 52, while volume 68 presents criticism on his novel The Sound and the Fury (1929).

[Ref PN 771.C59]

Harris, Laurie Lanzen, and Fitzgerald, Sheila (eds.). Short Story Criticism. Detroit: Gale Research Company,

1988. p.145-188.

Provides an overview of the major criticism of William Faulkner’s short story works. Includes initial reaction and later

opinion.

[Ref PN 3373.S386 1988 v.1]

Hoffman, Frederick J., and Vickery, Olga W. William Faulkner: Three Decades of Criticism. East Lansing: Michigan

State University Press, 1960.

A selection of criticism of William Faulkner’s writings which examine Faulkner in respect to his regional; place, in terms

of his works as a whole, his method and style, and his individual works.

[Stacks PS 3511.A86 1960]

Wagner, Linda Welshimer. William Faulkner: Four Decades of Criticism. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press,

1973.

A new edition of William Faulkner: Three Decades of Criticism. Part one examines Faulkner’s development as a

writer, part two presents studies of his works as a whole, and part three concentrates on his method and language. A

final portion studies the individual novels.

[Stacks PS 3511.A86 Z9852]

Bibliographies

Bibliographies - English Literature
Magill, Frank N. Magill’s Bibliography of Literary Criticism.
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Salem Press, 1979.

p.631-648.

Intended to provide students with the sources necessary for undergraduate research. Citations are for materials

published in the 1960s and 1970s.

[Ready Ref Z 6511.M245]

Modern Humanities Research Association. Annual Bibliography of English Language and Literature. Cambridge: Bowes

and Bowes, 1920-1994.

Library has 69 volumes from 1920-1994. Bibliography has an international perspective in the periodicals consulted.

Each volume has an average of 75 Faulkner citations.

[Ref Z 2011.M69]

Walker, Warren S. Twentieth-Century Short Story Explication. 3rd edition. Hamden, Connecticut: The Shoe String Press,

Inc., 1977. p.190-208.

A bibliography of books and articles dealing with Faulkner’s short story writings. Citations are arranged by the

individual stories. The book was followed by supplements to the 3rd edition, and continued by a new series,

Twentieth-Century Short Story Explication: New Series.

[Ready Ref Z 5927.S5 W33 1977]

Bibliographies - Faulkner
Bassett, John E. Faulkner in the Eighties: An Annotated Critical Bibliography. Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow

Press, 1991.

An update to his 1972 publication. The volume employs the same organization as the earlier work.

[Ref Z 8288.B39 1991]

Bassett, John E. William Faulkner: An Annotated Checklist of Criticism. New York: David Lewis, 1972.

Part I: Books on Faulkner; Part II: Studies on Individual Novels; Part III: Studies on Short Stories, Poetry, and

miscellaneous writings; Part IV: Topical Studies; Part V: Other Materials.

[Ref Z 8288.B38 1972]

Meriwether, James B. William Faulkner: A Checklist. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Library, 1957.

[Ref Z 8288.M4]

Meriwether, James B. (ed.). A Faulkner Miscellany. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1974.

Studies Faulkner’s unpublished and uncollected writings. Among the topics are Faulkner’s Marionettes, the Elmer

Papers, typescripts of The Town, a census of his poetry, and new material for Intruder in the Dust.

[Stacks PS 3511.A86 Z783212]

Meriwether, James B. The Literary Career of William Faulkner: A Bibliographical Study. Columbia: University of South

Carolina Press, 1971.

A published volume to accompany an exhibition on Faulkner held at the Princeton University Library in 1957. Has

information on Faulkner manuscripts, English editions of his works, translations, as well as motion pictures and television.

Includes photographs of Faulkner’s manuscripts and typescripts.

[Ref Z 8288.M37 1971]

McHaney, Thomas L. William Faulkner: A Reference Guide. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1976.

A chronological survey of the serious writing about the life, writings, and thoughts of William Faulkner. Citations are

arranged by year with annotations. Includes books in all languages, and journal articles in English. Excludes brief

mentions of Faulkner, and has only a sample of book reviews.

[Ref Z 8288.M22]

Ricks, Beatrice. William Faulkner, A Bibliography of Secondary Works. Metuchen, New Jersey, 1981.

Arranges 8,000 citations as biography, works, general criticism, and bibliography. Has a topical index, and a index of

critics.

[Ref Z 8288.R53 1981]

Sleeth, Irene Lynn. William Faulkner: A Bibliography of Criticism. Denver: A. Swallow, 1962.

[Ref Z 8288.S55]

Sweeney, Patricia E. William Faulkner’s Women Characters: An Annotated Bibliography of Criticism, 1930-1983.

Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio, 1985.

A study of the published criticism examining Faulkner’s depiction of women characters. Each citation is accompanied by

a short annotation or quote. Includes over 2,300 citations.

[Ref Z 8288.S9 1985]

Journals
The Faulkner Newsletter and Yoknapatawpha Review (Oxford, Mississippi: L. Wells, 1981-).

Library has volumes 5 to date.

[Serials - unbound]

Faulkner Studies (Minneapolis, 1952-54).

Library has volumes 1-3 (1952-54).

[Serials PS 3511.A86 Z599]

Modern Fiction Studies. (West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University, 1955-)

Library has volume 1 to date (1955-). Abstracted in Humanities Index, MLA.

[Serials PS 379.M55]

Studies in Short Fiction. (Newberry, South Carolina: Newberry College, 1963-).

Library has volume 1 to date (1963-). Abstracted in Humanities Index, MLA.

[Serials Film 1108]

Indexes and Abstracts
Dissertation Abstracts

Available online through the LOUIS catalog, 1861-November 1997. Abstracts have been included since 1980.

Extended Academic

Coverage for 1995-January 1998. Some retrievals are full text citations. Available through link to IAC Journal Database

at University Library Web site.

Humanities Abstracts

Available online through the LOUIS catalog, January 1984-present. Library has print editions, 1974-96.

[Index Table AI3.H45]

MLA International Bibliography

Available online through the LOUIS catalog, 1963-present. Library has print versions, 1954-1990.

[Index Table Z 7006.M64]

Computer Databases
Galenet Database

The Faulkner information at Galenet describes his personal information, avocational interests, career, awards/honors,

and writings. Also lists media adaptations of his material, and further readings. Includes links to criticism of his writings.

Database is searchable by titles and subjects/genre/characters. Available through the Gale Net Databases at the

University Library Web site.

Libraries - Catalogs
University of Virginia.
Library. William Faulkner Man Working 1919-1962: A Catalog of the William Faulkner

Collections at the University of Virginia. Charlottesville: Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia, 1968.

Outlines works by Faulkner including his personal papers, novels and short stories, criticism, public addresses,

interviews, and recordings. Works about Faulkner catalogs criticism, biographical writings, and programs of exhibitions,

as well as photographs. A third section lists materials related to Faulkner, while an appendix outlines items in the

Faulkner estate and Faulkner foundation.

[Ref Z 8288.V5]

Primary Materials
Cowley, Malcolm.
The Faulkner-Cowley File: Letters and Memoirs, 1944-1962. New York: Viking Press, 1966.

A memoir of William Faulkner by literary critic and essayist Malcolm Cowley. Includes copies of 48 letters which were

exchanged between the two.

[Stacks PS 3511.A86 Z77]

Meriwether, James B., and Millgate, Michael (eds.). Lions in the Garden: Interviews with William Faulkner, 1926-1962.

New York: Random House, 1968.

A collection of the significant published interviews conducted by Faulkner from the start of his career to his death.

Includes the Nagano seminars of 1955. Interviews are arranged in chronological order by date the interview took place,

rather than when it was published.

[Stacks PS 3511.A86 Z892]

Internet
William Faulkner on the Web


compiled by Bradley Tolppanen - 02/98
Humanities Reference Librarian