Small towns, particularly Jefferson, Mississippi, dominate the setting in Light in August. Smaller communities often give the appearance of a quaint and simple life, away from the chaos of dense cities. As the novel unfolds, Faulkner crafts a portrait of the small town that subverts this expectation. In Chapter 1, Lena’s experience crossing into Mississippi gives the impression she’s entering a pleasant place. She’s always able to find a ride on a wagon and repeatedly remarks, “Folks have been kind. They have been right kind” (11). Mr. and Mrs. Armstid offer her a place to stay, give her money, and help her find a ride. When Lena is out of ear shot, however, the Armstids gossip about how she naively thinks Lucas Burch is in Jefferson eagerly waiting for her. In this world, even the nice strangers carry hidden judgments.

Chapter 1 ends with the image of Joanna Burden’s burning house, a grim and foreboding image and an indication Jefferson is a volatile place. With each subsequent chapter, the painful and cruel history of Jefferson continues to reveal itself. Jefferson forces Hightower out of the ministry, shuts Joanna out of the community, and normalizes racism. Later in the story, Hightower pleads with Byron to leave Jefferson, calling it a terrible place over and over.