Dilsey’s Chapter

I thought that it was interesting how each chapter got progressively clearer and more coherent, starting with Benjy’s trying narration and ending with Dilsey’s straightforward interpretation of the Compson’s downfall.  It is as though we get Faulkner’s own perspective and voice through the ever present Dilsey.  I believe that this writing style was intentional of Faulkner’s part.  Its symbolic meaning could be applied in several different ways.  One possibility is that Faulkner’s writing mirrors the crumbling of the Compson family.  Both the book and the family are unraveling, becoming less complex to reveal the truth that the family has broken apart, unable to move forward with time-they are stuck.  Another reason for the order of the book could have been that Faulkner wanted his readers to understand the emotions and the timelessness of his story before presenting a chronological over of events to readers.  In order to understand the decay of the Compson family, readers had to see certain events from the different members of the family to be able to grasp the complexity of the story.  I believe this at this story signifies “nothing.”  Faulkner is making the point that there are some messages that cannot be fully communicated through the use of mere words.  When Dilsey takes Benjy to church on Easter, the entire congregation becomes “nothing” during the sermon, “beyond the need for words.”  It could also explain Faulkner’s focus on the senses (especially in Benjy’s case) when telling the Compson’s story.  This ‘nothingness’ applies to the entire book, the Compson’s accomplish nothing with their actions, however, by ending Dilsey’s chapter on Easter-the rebirth of Christ-that they have a chance of redemption.      

Jason's Chapter

I was surprised by how different Jason’s chapter was when I contrasted it with Benjy and Quintin’s chapter.  It was straightforward.  Yes, Jason reflected on past events, however he was thinking of how it applied to the present (more specifically, how it affected him personally) rather than living in the past.  I believe that this chapter revealed how spiteful Jason truly is, in past chapters I have developed a strong aversion to him, but reading from his perspective solidifies and intensifies those feelings.  In the very first line of his chapter, “Once a bitch always a bitch, what I say,” (in reference to his sister’s daughter, Quinton), Faulkner turns readers against Jason-he is a character that we are meant to hate.  Listening to Jason’s cruel perspective is difficult; he is unwilling to take any of the responsibility for his actions, pushing the blame off to others.  He is also very greedy, siphoning money off the checks Caddy sends to support Quinton, making about fifty thousand dollars in fifteen years.  He is also guilty of stealing from his mother, taking advantage of her limitless trust and unrelenting favoritism.  All of Mrs. Compson’s other children were far more deserving of their mother’s love and support, and yet Jason is the only one that she doesn’t consider a “curse.”  As a child, Jason was cruel, and as he grew, those traits only intensified.  He is clever, but uses his talents to further take advantage of others.  He is so blinded by the ‘wrongs’ that others have done to him that he is unwilling to attempt to make any changes to his situation. 

Quinton Chapter

Quinton’s narration throughout this entire chapter is very confusing and difficult to follow.  He doesn’t maintain a sense of himself while narrating and yet is very focused on his own problems and is self-involved.  It seems that Faulkner uses this irony to emphasize Quinton’s uncertainty and the many conflicting characteristics that are part of his personality. One of the things that I found was hardest about this chapter was the way that Faulkner used Quinton to narrate, very stream of consciousness.  He is constantly jumping back and forth between the past and the future, unwilling to let go of thing that cannot be changed.  This shows how fragile Quintin’s mental state is.  He can’t deal with his life in the present, so he takes refuge in the past.  As the chapter progresses, Quinton deteriorates mentally and the stream of consciousness style of narrating becomes more and more prominent.  His train of thought becomes harder to follow and more confusing.  He was weighed down with guilt over being unable to ‘protect’ his sister and finally kills himself.

Benjy's Chapter-April 7, 1928

I believe that Faulkner began The Sound and the Fury with Benjy’s chapter in order to give his readers an initial view of the Compson family that was limited to a single time period or moment.  To Benjy, there is no single moment, past or present.   His entire view of awareness and reality is blended together through associations.  One of Faulkner’s uses of Benjy’s character is to tie the family together, even though this creates a disorienting effect.  Benjy is primarily a spectator; his observes his family but doesn’t react or even process the information himself.  His is the ultimate unbiased character.  Despite the fact that most of Benjy’s family is cruel to him (with the exception of Caddy) he has no opinion on the events surrounding him.   Faulkner uses his objective personality as a means to convey the nature of the Compson family.  Benjy is not a true member of their family, he is simply there and only is noticed when he becomes inconvenient to the others around them.   Faulkner’s other characters are not concerned for Benjy’s wellbeing, but rather how his illness will affect them.      

When Faulkner created Benjy’s character, he used him to mirror Christ, who was crucified and ultimately died for the sins of others.   Faulkner draws many parallels between the two figures in an effort to illustrate Benjy’s role within the Compson family.   Many of Benjy’s family members push their sins and anger onto Benjy, who is an innocent and an easy target.  Benjy’s disabilities made him powerless against his family’s cruelty and unable to defend himself.  The only person that ever showed Benjy genuine compassion was Caddy, who eventually left him.  Even when Benjy becomes ill at his mother’s (Mrs. Compson) Christmas party, Mrs. Compson is more worried that her son’s illness will ruin her party rather than being concerned for his health.  This memory shows the Compson’s true nature, their selfishness and callous nature.  It is possible for them to hide their less than pleasant personalities from others (neighbors, friends, and even themselves) but Faulkner uses Benjy to give readers an unobstructed view. 

Benjy is unable to comprehend the world around him, especially changes.  To be happy, he needed something to ground him to the present to reality.  His condition required for an element of stability to present in his life, something that the Compson family obviously lacks.  He felt safe in Caddy’s presence, so he is constantly reminded thought the day of her.  His mind takes shelter in happier times with his sister.  His nostalgia is a necessity that he subconsciously clings to for that element of stability because his sister had left his family in disgrace and is no longer able to provide him the needed element of constancy.  His family saw Benjy as a burden and as such, they do not provide his mental needs.  For them, it seems that the concept of family is only put into practice when convenient.  Faulkner uses Benjy’s character to comment on aspect of the South that people are unwilling to contend with, or in some cases to even recognize that problems exist.  In this way, Benjy is a symbol for the evils of the South that go ignored, except for several “Caddies” that attempt to set things to rights.        

William Faulkner

        William Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi on September 25, 1897. He was the oldest of four sons, coming from a family that had deep southern roots. He was very interested in stories at a young age and several years later, he began writing. Faulkner was also highly intelligent, dropping out of high school his junior year due to boredom. He attended the University of Mississippi and while he didn't earn a degree, he is considered an alumni.

        Faulkner was a very determined individual, this was shown when he attempted to join the US Air Force. He was rejected due to his inadequate height and joined the Canadian Air Force instead, changing the spelling of his name to suggest British origins. He never ended up in combat, but upon his return home, he told embellished war stories of his time in service.

        Faulkner had a very clear understanding of the south, where he had spent most of his life. He had grown up with racism and discrimination, still Faulkner's views on human nature remained positive. When Faulkner was awarded the Nobel prize in literature for the Sound and the Fury he was reluctant to attend the award ceremony. He strongly believed that literature belong to the reader and showing his sincere belief in his writing. His characters faced challenges to find their dignity, but in the end Faulkner believed that humanity would "prevail." (Nobel Prize speech-William Faulkner).