Light in August

The town retells Joe’s final hours. Mrs. Hines, Joe’s grandmother, visits him in prison while Mr. Hines remains volatile outside. Townsfolk believe Mrs. Hines told Joe about Hightower: “that Hightower would save him, was going to save him” (448). Joe escapes from custody and returns to his cabin. He finds Joanna’s unfired pistol, then heads to Hightower’s home.

Before Joe’s escape, Percy Grimm, a young captain in the national guard, waits to be called upon. Assertive and militaristic, Percy sees White people, in particular White Americans, as the greatest race. Percy gathers other national guardsmen to patrol outside the courthouse. The sheriff dissuades Percy from carrying a gun, but Percy doesn’t listen. Joe’s trial ends. When he’s taken from the courtroom, he breaks away, and Percy chases after him.

Percy pursues, leading a group of men. He tracks Joe to the cabin and sees him obtain the pistol. Joe proceeds to Hightower’s house with Percy and the men close behind. Percy finds Hightower on the floor of the living room, his face bleeding, having been struck by Joe. Percy demands to know where Joe is. Hightower pleads, then lies—declaring Joe was at his house the night of the murder. Percy ignores Hightower’s purposed alibi.