👉 "Infection" by William Faulkner is a complex and haunting novel that delves into the psychological and moral decay of a Southern family over several generations. Set in the post-Civil War South, the story follows the Compson family, whose once-prominent lineage has crumbled due to financial ruin, moral bankruptcy, and the lingering trauma of slavery and racism. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of the current generation and their ancestors, revealing a tapestry of deceit, guilt, and the cyclical nature of evil. Through fragmented and often unreliable narration, Faulkner explores themes of identity, memory, and the inescapable influence of the past on the present, ultimately painting a grim picture of a family and a community consumed by infection—both literal and metaphorical. The novel's exploration of how societal and personal sins can become deeply embedded and nearly impossible to eradicate makes it a profound meditation on human nature and the enduring impact of history.
