What is the theme in Set This House On Fire?

As with any well-written novel generally well-received by critics (though acknowledged as not one of Styron's best), Set This House on Fire (1960) has more than a single thematic concern.  At its most essential, perhaps, it is concerned with the nature of good and evil with regard to the murders of Mason Flagg and Francesca and Peter Leverett's determination to get to the truth about them, and the actions of Cass Kinsolving in their...

As with any well-written novel generally well-received by critics (though acknowledged as not one of Styron's best), Set This House on Fire (1960) has more than a single thematic concern.  At its most essential, perhaps, it is concerned with the nature of good and evil with regard to the murders of Mason Flagg and Francesca and Peter Leverett's determination to get to the truth about them, and the actions of Cass Kinsolving in their wake.  However, Styron offers other motifs that could arguably be regarded as themes: the American South's cultural legacy and Southern male identity (which were interesting to Styron because he grew up in Virginia), the moral excesses of the entertainment industry, Americans in Europe, redemption, and the difference between justice and law and order as seen in the Italian policeman, Luigi, who lets Cass Kinsolving go.