Counterpull

This chapter examines the complex and deeply entangled relationship between Estelle Faulkner and William Faulkner, showing how Estelle remained a central figure in his esthetic and fiction-making. Faulkner saw Estelle not just as a wife but as part of his creative process, comparing her influence on other women in his life like Meta Carpenter, Joan Williams, and Jean Stein. The chapter explores Estelle’s painting, writing, and musical talents, which mirrored Faulkner’s and shaped their bond, even as her struggles with alcoholism and money strained their marriage. The chapter reveals Faulkner’s emotional dependence on Estelle, returning repeatedly to their fraught relationship despite ongoing conflicts, suggesting he associated her with a youthful version of himself. It reflects on Faulkner’s perception of Estelle, which fed into his 8 and poetic portrayals of her.