The characters in Light in August, specifically Joe Christmas and Joanna Burden, are submissive to the damaging events that happen in their lives throughout the novel. Both Joe and Joanna suffer physical abuse, during which neither make an effort to fight back. For example, Mr. McEachern heartlessly beats Joe, who then takes on the role of abuser and rapes Joanna himself. Not only do these characters refuse to fight their abuse, but they refuse to prevent it. Mrs. McEachern offers Joe help, which he does not take, and Joanna leaves her doors and windows open, almost aimlessly thinking that nothing bad will happen to her. The characters’ docile tolerance of suffering insinuates that it is not the work of God that determines their fate, rather,
