The Hamlet

Content Warning: This section of the guide reproduces sexist depictions of women and refers to an instance of sexual assault against a minor.

The narration introduces Eula Varner, Will Varner’s youngest child, as a lazy and indulgent 13-year-old who spends all her time eating. She has never been motivated by anything other than male attention, and Jody was the one to make her go to school. Eula stays in school until, at age 14, she is sexually assaulted by the schoolteacher, Labove.

Labove was hired by Will Varner after working his way through university. When Eula first came to school, Labove treated her first with rage and then with fascination at how she had prematurely developed, looking like she had already gone through puberty at age eight. Labove, generally misanthropic and isolated, struggles with his attraction to Eula. He finally tries to assault her one day when Jody is late to pick her up, but Eula fights him off and leaves. Labove waits for her to tell Jody and for Jody to come back to the schoolhouse and fight him, but Jody never comes. Labove agonizes over his feelings and actions. Even when it seems that Eula has not told anyone, Labove decides to immediately leave town, not even retrieving his belongings from his room.