While the barons had been almost unanimous in their approval of increased spending on the steel plant, they were-with the sole exceptions of Thomen and Bren Adahan-completely united in their opposition to any excessive spending on what Terumel, Baron Derahan, referred to as "this dubious Engineer magic."

However, the sad part is that the secessionists in their all folks of life including their top tradional leaders, politicians, and religious groups are with no exception united on the aggression, killings, and displacements of the population of the unionist Khaatumo State of Somalia.

The characters in Light in August-who are mostly from the lower classes, with the exception of Reverend Hightower and Joanna Burden-are united by poverty and Puritanical values that cause them to regard an unwed mother like Lena Grove with disdain.