Pylon (novel)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pylon, published in 1935, is one of the few William Faulkner novels set outside Yoknapatawpha County, his favorite fictional setting. Pylon is set in New Valois, a fictionalized version of New Orleans. It is the story of a group of barnstormers whose lives are thoroughly unconventional. They live hand-to-mouth, always just a step or two ahead of destitution, and their interpersonal relationships are unorthodox and shocking by the standards of their society and times. They meet an overwrought and extremely emotional newspaperman in New Valois, who gets deeply involved with them, with tragic consequences.

The novel provided the basis for the 1958 film The Tarnished Angels, directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Rock Hudson, Robert Stack, and Dorothy Malone.

[edit] Main characters

• The Reporter - His name is never given. He has a drinking problem. He is an overgrown child, dependent on handouts from his mother and constant "loans" from his boss (Hagood, the newspaper editor).
• Roger Shumann - The pilot. Highly skilled aviator, whose willingness to take risks provides the barnstormers with most of their income.
• Jiggs - The mechanic. Jiggs is an alcoholic, given to periodic binges which usually get him into trouble with the police.
• Laverne - Mechanic and former stunt performer (wing-walking, parachute-jumping). She is romantically involved with both Shumann and the parachute jumper in a controversial ménage à trois.
• Jack Holmes - The parachute jumper.

[edit] Minor characters

• Hagood - Newspaper editor.
• Jack - Shumann's child with Laverne. The reporter nicknames him "Dempsey" because of his willingness to fight anyone who asks him, "Who's your old man?"
• Dr and Mrs Shumann - Shumann's parents, who live in Myron, Ohio.
• Matt Ord - Legendary pilot, known throughout the world of aviation and barnstorming. More or less retired from flying, he is part owner of Ord-Atkinson Aircraft Corp. Provides Roger Shumann with an airplane.
• Col. Feinman - New Valois mogul and chairman of the sewage board, who owns the airport where much of the novel's action takes place.