Similarities to Absalom, Absalom!

I remember that earlier in the semester, Kelly told us that we would start to identify pieces of literature that were influenced by, if not based off of, Moby Dick.  After reading most of a mercy, I strongly believe that Toni Morrison based her novel around William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom!; for me, I feel like I’m receiving Clytie’s or Wash Jones’s point of view.  In both novels, despair among all parties is prevalent and there is a sense of striving for goals that are almost unattainable.

In Absalom, Absalom!, Sutpen’s lifelong goal is to amass a wealth to which he will pass on to his first born son.  Jacob Vaark is no different once he discovers the wealth that can be amassed through rum trading; he dies trying to build a towering monument to himself which Rebekka believes is extremely unnecessary, considering they are common folk.  Similar to Judith’s despondent behavior after the death of Charles Bon, Florens becomes enshrouded in sadness after her failed relationship with the blacksmith.  Scully and Willard both notice her “don’t lay your hands on me” attitude when she returns to Mistress.  The character traits in both novels suggest that Morrison wanted to recount Faulkner’s story, but in a way in which she has done with books such as Beloved.