William Faulkner, Talladega Nights and the Old South

The next time -- the next umpteenth time -- you watch the Will Farrell comedy Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby (airing this weekend on TBS) note at the very end of Talladega Nights, past the credits, past the outtakes (depending on which version you are watching) there is a scene where Ricky Bobby’s mother Lucy (played by Jane Lynch) finishes reading William Faulkner’s The Bear to her grandsons J.R. and Walker Texas Ranger. In the scene, Lucy finishes reading and sets down the book:

Lucy: So what do you think that story is about?

J.R.: The Bear symbolizes the Old South and Lion the new dog symbolizes the creeping industrialization of the North.

Walker:  Duh, but the question is “Shouldn’t Boon feel the relief or sadness at the passing of the Old South?”

Lucy: Well, How about both?

Walker: Oh, I get it. Moral ambiguity. The hallmark of all early 20th Century American fiction.

J.R.: Great analysis, Walker.

Walker, William Faulkner and Talladega Nights all agree: There is both relief and sadness in the passing of the Old South.