Ikkemotubbe: The Legacy of the Chickasaw Chief in Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha
In the intricate literary landscape of Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, few figures embody the transition of land and identity as poignantly as Ikkemotubbe. A fictional Chickasaw Indian chief, Ikkemotubbe serves as a pivotal ancestral figure in the works of Nobel laureate William Faulkner, representing the original stewardship of the wilderness before the arrival of white settlers.
The Role of Ikkemotubbe in Faulkner's Works
Ikkemotubbe appears across several of Faulkner's narratives, providing a historical anchor for the themes of displacement and ownership. He is featured in the short story collection III The Wilderness, specifically within the stories "Red Leaves," "A Justice," and "A Courtship."
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His influence is perhaps most profound in the classic novel The Bear. In this narrative, Ikkemotubbe is identified as the original owner of the vast tracts of land that were eventually sold to Carothers McCaslin, the first white landowner of the woods where the story's primary events unfold.
The Evolution of a Name
One of the most striking aspects of Ikkemotubbe's character arc is the linguistic transformation of his name, which mirrors the cultural pressures and shifts of the era. Following a steamboat journey to New Orleans, his name underwent a process of "Frenchification."
During this period, he was referred to as L'Homme or De l'Homme, which translates from French to "The Man." In a final act of self-definition and re-Anglicization, Ikkemotubbe later adapted this name into Doom.
Key Facts
- Identity: A fictional Chickasaw Indian chief.
- Setting: Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi.
- Key Literary Appearances: The Bear and the collection III The Wilderness.
- Land Connection: Original owner of the land sold to Carothers McCaslin.
- Name Variations: Ikkemotubbe → L'Homme/De l'Homme → Doom.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Role | Original Chickasaw landowner |
| Associated Works | The Bear, "Red Leaves," "A Justice," "A Courtship" |
| Key Associate | Carothers McCaslin (Buyer of the land) |
| Final Alias | Doom |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ikkemotubbe?
Ikkemotubbe is a fictional Chickasaw Indian chief created by William Faulkner who resides in the imagined Yoknapatawpha County of Mississippi.
Which Faulkner books feature Ikkemotubbe?
He is a central figure in the novel The Bear and appears in the stories "Red Leaves," "A Justice," and "A Courtship" from the collection III The Wilderness.
What is the significance of Ikkemotubbe in 'The Bear'?
He is significant as the original owner of the land that was sold to Carothers McCaslin, the first white person to own the woods described in the novel.
Why did Ikkemotubbe change his name to Doom?
After his name was changed to the French "L'Homme" (meaning "The Man") following a trip to New Orleans, he later re-Anglicized it to "Doom."