ABSTRACT
Louisiana writer Lyle Saxon's unusual short story “The Centaur Plays Croquet” compares favorably with the most notable short fiction of the early twentieth century. Saxon's story details the “strange case” of Mrs. John David (Ada) Calander and the “fabulous monster” which “she kept as a pet,” thus resulting in “great scandal” in the community of Mimosa, Louisiana. In the eyes of the town, Ada's companion “Horace,” whether a centaur or a man disguised as a horse, was more than just an odd house guest, and the two did more than play croquet. Saxon's six narrators' accounts are rich sources of irony, subtle humor, and social satire, gems of self-justification and character assassination. Evidence suggests, moreover, that Saxon's story was familiar to William Faulkner, whose own “A Rose for Emily” shows a significant number of parallels. The friendship between Saxon and Faulkner and their familiarity with each other's works increase the possibility of an influence.
