Keywords

This term is intended to refer to when a character looks at but cannot fathom what a character (or animal) is thinking. (Keyed originally to refer to Lion in "Lion.") -JBP

Any material acquisition that signifies a marker of status. Lucius Priest buying an automobile because Colonel Sartoris had one. J. Burgers.

Any place where "doctoring" is practiced whether that is formal, as with Peabody, or more informal. JB

Any time the past is consonant with the present, or a tradition is passed on. For example, the Hampton's being Sheriffs is a historical continuity. JB

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

Whenever a character has suffered a loss of social status, in particular those characters formerly connected with the prominent families of Jefferson. For example, Dan Grinnup who is Louis Grenier's family. J. Burgers

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

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

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

Whenever the narrator of the text refers to "you" as a specific subject or auditor, as is the case with Lucius II referring to Lucius III in the Reivers. This is slightly more nuanced than storytelling, which is generic. Instead this is a narrative crafted with a particular auditor in mind.