51 pages 1 hour read

William Faulkner

Sanctuary

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1931

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Chapters 24-31

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 24 Summary

Temple remains at Miss Reba’s but becomes upset and destroys the expensive things that Popeye has brought her there. Minnie brings her food, but Temple ignores it, instead demanding a drink. Minnie scolds her for destroying Popeye’s gifts, and Temple locks her out of her room. Later that day, she bribes Minnie with $20 to let her go outside. She makes a quick phone call and then returns, drinking even more.

Temple remains in her room but appears to be getting ready to go out. She takes a pistol with her and sneaks downstairs, prepared to shoot anyone who gets in her way. When she opens the door, she finds Popeye outside and begins to scream at him “I won’t!” The narrative reveals that Popeye is impotent and that he has been bringing another man, Red, to have sex with Temple while he watches. Temple had planned to run away with Red that night, but Popeye has interrupted those plans. He forces her into his car, taking her to a bar.

Temple drinks heavily when they arrive at the bar. Red arrives as well and watches as Temple and Popeye dance together. Temple, drunk, makes advances toward Popeye, forgetting that he is impotent.