Keywords

Any paraphernalia used to publicly identify a possible criminal. The example used is from The Reivers, which refers to a "Bertillon chart or a police poster" (3). JB

Any formal or informal practices regarding firearms that are functionally law, whether these practices are recognized in a court or not. For example, the assumption that no one in Maury Priest's workplace would bring a gun in the Reivers or the shop owner who refuses to sells Mink ammunition in the Mansion. This definition also includes legal violations of laws surrounding firearms. JB

Any moment when everyone or many people in a place know something to be true, but they pretend not to know it. For example, everyone knows Linda is not Flem's child, but pretends to not know, just as everyone pretends John Powell brings his gun to work but people pretend he does not. JB

This does not merely describe the specific actions of an accountant, but any formal or informal balancing of the books be it Flem Snopes, Maury Priest, or Will Varner. JB

Any time a character hides something from his peer group or society at large. The particular instance here is John Powell concealing his pistol from the men in the livery stable.

Any time of social contract that is maintained that relies on implied class differences. The term is a bit murky, but Faulkner refers to it explicitly and implicitly on a number of occasions. The agreement between Maury Priest and John Powell, and the remission of Miss Emily's taxes are examples. JB