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).