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Augustus Introduction

Background

• The background of the name Augustus--history of the conflict with Caesar.
• Meaning of Augustus--"one who bears no resemblance to his former self" & the importance of this to the novel.

Themes

• Over time, our personalities can be altered by circumstance.

Plot

• A historical/biographical fiction account of Augustus' life and work

Style

• Williams chooses to withhold Augustus' voice until the end of the novel, which this introduction states is a "shrewd" choice.

Characters

• Williams writes heroes that don't necessarily fulfill all their heroic duties, but they are not necessarily failures either.
• Augustus, his daughter, friends, those that surround him all play important roles in speaking because Augustus' voice is not heard until the end.

The Mooske and the Gripes

Critical Reception

• Deserves to be canonical American literature

Writing Style

• Letters and journal entries from "main characters" of the time period
• Williams' individual voice is absent from the letters, giving them an authentic feel.

A Dignified Resignation

Writing Style

• Bildungsroman: coming of age stories

Themes

• Coming of age
• Fulfilling a dream
• Restraint versus resignation

Major Themes

The major theme Augustus addresses is the ability of circumstances to change the personality and behavior of a person. The conditions that surrounded Augustus' rise to power in Ancient Rome was plagued with violence and contention, which led to Augustus working hard to implement a time of peace and cooperation in Rome, commonly referred to as the Pax Romana or the Pax Augusta. Other themes Williams writes on in his novel are coming of age and the difference between restraint and resignation.