Editing Light in August (section)

=== Christian allegory ===
There are a variety of parallels with Christian scripture in the novel. The life and death of Joe Christmas is reminiscent of the [[passion of Christ]], Lena and her fatherless child parallel [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]] and Christ,{{sfn|Hamblin|Peek|1999|p=69}} and Byron Bunch acts as a [[Saint Joseph|Joseph]] figure. Christian imagery such as the urn, the wheel, and the shadow, can be found throughout.{{sfn|Hamblin|Peek|1999|p=231}}

''Light in August'' has 21 chapters, as does the [[Gospel of St. John]]. As Virginia V. James Hlavsa points out, each chapter in Faulkner corresponds to themes in John. For example, echoing John's famous, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God", is Lena's insistent faith in the "word" of Lucas, who is, after all, the father. John 5, the healing of the lame man by immersion, is echoed by Christmas's repeatedly being immersed in liquids. The teaching in the temple in John 7 is echoed by McEachern's attempts to teach Christmas his [[catechism]]. The [[crucifixion]] occurs in John 19, the same chapter in which Christmas is slain and castrated.{{sfn|Hlavsa|1991}} However, the Christian references are dark and disturbing&mdash;Lena is obviously not a virgin, Christmas is an enraged murderer&mdash;and may be more appropriately viewed as [[pagan]] idols mistakenly worshipped as saints.{{sfn|Hamblin|Peek|1999|p=231}}