The Reivers can be seen as an opposite to Sanctuary. Lucius contrasts with Temple Drake in that he has a set of values by which he is trying to define himself and to live. He contrasts with most of the characters who have values in Sanctuary in that he understands those values and continues to learn their implications. Good discussion can arise out of taking note of those values and evaluating their adequacy to an adult world where seemingly few people live by moral values.

Although Memphis is a place of corruption in both novels, in The Reivers we see many characters who oppose that corruption and who live upright and meaningful lives. It is interesting to discuss the differing views of this world in the two works and to account for Faulkner's shift from savage tragedy to almost romantic comedy in his treatment of it...