The Rose Upon the Trellis: William Faulkner’s Lena Grove

About the Book

Regarding William Faulkner’s novel, Light in August, the majority of critics view Lena Grove as an insignificant character. It is the intent of this thesis to right the discourse by showing that Lena Grove is a major figure: generally, symbolically, and when considered in her role as a literary device. Generally, Lena Grove functions as an eccentric individual and a Southern folk figure; symbolically she has become a pagan fertility goddess, an “opposite equal” to Joanna Burden, and a Persephone-Kore figure. As a literary device she comprises the entity who most closely offers us a set of “horizons of expectations” closest to a straightforward linear plotline. Even when we are in the “deconstructed” phases of her plotline, that is, embroiled in the construction of one of the other three plotlines, that of Joe Christmas, Byron Bunch or Reverend Gail Hightower, we consistently think of Lena Grove and wonder where she is in her journey across the South and her journey through life. In Light in August, in her own unique manner, Lena Grove is a major figure - ever present.

About the Author

Born and educated in Massachusetts, Miss Kelleher began her undergraduate studies in the Liberal Arts at prestigious Wheaton College in Norton, where she was on the Dean’s List. A transfer student, she received the degree of “Bachelor of Arts with Distinction” from Simmons College, Boston. Graduating in the top five percent of her class while majoring in Sociology, Economics and Art History, beyond “Distinction” additional baccalaureate honors conferred included: Academy (Collegiate Honor Society), Departmental Recognition (History of Art), Dean’s List and receipt of academic grants. Further general art historical studies and specialized new directions reflecting a burgeoning interest in American Art and Culture as well as European Painting of the Nineteenth Century, were undertaken within the Department of the History of Art, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy program at Boston University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. By age twenty-four, she had independently researched and authored her first book and the first art historical book ever written on Boston artist, Lilian Westcott Hale - titled Enchantment: The Art and Life of Lilian Westcott Hale, America’s Linear Impressionist. A year later came the independently researched and written Unlikely Icon and the majority of Sense, Sensibility and Sensation: The Marvelous Miniatures and Perfect Pastels of Laura Coombs Hills, America’s Lyrical Impressionist. Eventually, new interests in English Literature beckoned, so Kelleher completed a Master of Arts Degree in English Literature at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she received a full scholarship and wrote her book The Rose Upon the Trellis: William Faulkner’s Lena Grove. Currently enrolled in the Master of Science Degree in Business Administration at Worcester State University, Kelleher is pursuing business courses while editing her soon-to-be-published book on Laura Coombs Hills. She was also accepted to study at Clark University, having received the Clark Alumni Scholarship. Her other five books include: The Fantasmagorical Feline Adventures of Little Miss Libby; The Secrets of Willow Creek; How to Research, Write and Publish an Art History Book in American Art; and Unlikely Icon: The Art, Culture and Philosophy of Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston: A Nineteenth Century Symbol of American Values and A Brief Book of Children’s Tales. She is the niece of the renowned Hollywood writer and producer, the late Paul W. Keyes of Paul W. Keyes Productions, Westlake Village, California.