The Author, William Faulkner, believes that a writer should help others endure tragedies throughout their lifetime and that a writer should write about courage, sacrifice, honor, compassion, and endurance. Almost all of these subjects, especially courage, honor, and pride shine through in the characterization of Nancy. “Jesus is somewhere near by to kill her, however what gives her courage is the presence of the children. “When yawl go home, I gone,” (Faulkner 174). Although Nancy is extremely frightened on the inside because she knows she will die, she stays strong and courageous for the sake of her children. She knew that Jesus would kill her, but she kept hope that he wouldn’t. Her family doesn’t seem to care much about her, when they abandon her for their own sake.
The title, “That Evening Sun,” symbolizes that fact that once the sun goes down Nancy will die. When the time comes and she sees the sun going down, she tries to be courageous. Nancy continues to be brave in this story when she asks, “When you going to pay me, white man? When you going to pay me, white man?” (Faulkner 168) She maintains her pride and honor, rather than just sitting by without being paid. Most often, black a woman of the time would not be as daring as to continually asks a white man for money.
