William Faulkner's Banquet Speech

William Faulkner delivered the infamous “Banquet Speech” in 1950, five years after the great World War II ended. During this time, the Cold War had begun. There was the stand off between the United States and the Soviet Union. At this point in time, both countries were now superpowers and had to ability to produce atomic bombs. America had ended World War II with the use of atomic bombs in 1945. For the following few year, they were the only country to posses this power of the atom. However, in 1949, the Soviet Union successfully completed its first atomic test. The Soviet Union had long-range missiles that could hit anywhere in the United States. Many people felt as if a nuclear war and total destruction was only in a matter of time. In a time of global fear, Faulkner wanted writers to be aware of what is important as the world faced atomic fears and anxieties. The speech was a declaration that despite the dilemma, we would not only survive, but we will prevail. Faulkner helped
In some ways that he presented ethos was poor, but the message and words are those of a true leader. He uses the term “inexhaustible” to describe man’s voice in order to describe his perception of man being immortal; however, when he was giving his speech, he was almost inaudible to the audience. Faulkner was effective in his use of pathos and appealing to emotions. The audience is able to feel his passion for writing, and he was able to let the audience see what is necessary in life through his viewpoint. During this time of great despair, William Faulkner imposes a solution. Although the main point of the speech was for writers to write from the heart, he also addresses the fear of the world. Faulkner reflected on the harmfulness of writing from a place of fear rather than place of hope and from the heart. Faulkner illustrated his character, his feeling toward his work, and the impact he hoped to instill on young