The Sound and the Fury | William Faulkner | Cliff Note Books
“The Sound and the Fury” is a novel by William Faulkner, published in 1929. The novel is divided into four sections, each of which is narrated by a different character and takes place at a different time.
The first section is narrated by Benjy Compson, an intellectually disabled man who has trouble understanding the world around him. He tells his story in a stream-of-consciousness style, jumping back and forth in time, and the reader must piece together the events of his life.
The second section is narrated by Quentin Compson, Benjy’s older brother, and takes place on the day of Quentin’s suicide. He is consumed by his family’s history and the loss of his sister Caddy’s virginity.
The third section is narrated by Jason Compson, the cynical and bitter brother who is angry at the world and everyone in it. He is obsessed with money and constantly schemes to get more of it.
The final section is narrated by Dilsey, the Compson family’s black servant, and takes place in the present day. She is the only character who seems to have any sense of morality or understanding of the world around her.
Throughout the novel, Faulkner explores themes of race, gender, family, and the passing of time. The story is non-linear and often difficult to follow, but it is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modernist literature.
QUOTES
“Caddy smelled like trees.” – Benjy Compson
“They say time heals all things, but they don’t say how long it takes.” – Quentin Compson
“I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire…I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend all of your breath trying to conquer it.” – William Faulkner, Author’s Preface
“Maybe nothing ever happens once and is finished.” – Luster
“All of us are better when we’re loved.” – Dilsey
“Clocks slay time… time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life.” – Quentin Compson
“Memory believes before knowing remembers.” – Quentin Compson
“What he meant was, love makes you see a place differently, just as you hold differently an object that belongs to someone you love.” – Dilsey
“It is not that she is more virtuous or clean than other women; it is that she is more independent.” – Quentin Compson, about Caddy
“I am not religious; I am Catholic.” – Jason Compson
AUTHOR
William Faulkner (1897-1962) was an American writer and Nobel Prize laureate. He was born in New Albany, Mississippi, and grew up in nearby Oxford. Faulkner dropped out of high school and worked a variety of odd jobs before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War I. He did not see combat, but the experience inspired him to begin writing.
Faulkner’s first novel, “Soldiers’ Pay,” was published in 1926, but it was his 1929 novel “The Sound and the Fury” that brought him critical acclaim. Over the course of his career, Faulkner wrote numerous novels, including “As I Lay Dying,” “Light in August,” and “Absalom, Absalom!” He also wrote many short stories, poems, and screenplays.
Faulkner’s writing is characterized by its complex narrative structure, use of multiple narrators, and exploration of the history and culture of the American South. He was known for his use of stream-of-consciousness writing and for his ability to create vivid, fully-realized characters.
Faulkner won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949, and he is considered one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. He died in 1962 in Oxford, Mississippi, where he had lived for most of his life.
CRITICISMS
Difficulty: One of the most common criticisms of the book is that it is extremely difficult to read and understand. The novel is non-linear, with multiple narrators and a fragmented narrative structure, which can be confusing for some readers.
Subject Matter: Some critics have argued that the novel is overly focused on the internal lives of the characters and lacks a broader social or political context. The novel is also criticized for its portrayal of race, which is seen by some as limited and stereotypical.
Representation of Women: Some critics have argued that the novel’s portrayal of women is problematic. Caddy, in particular, is seen as a victim of male desire and a symbol of male anxiety about female sexuality.
Authorial Voice: Faulkner’s authorial voice is also criticized by some readers, who find his style of writing overly pretentious and difficult to engage with. Some critics argue that Faulkner’s use of complex language and literary techniques can be alienating to readers.
Limited Perspective: The novel’s multiple narrators are all members of the same family, and some critics argue that this limited perspective results in a narrow portrayal of Southern culture and society. The novel is criticized for its lack of diversity and for its portrayal of African Americans as subservient and one-dimensional characters.
CHARACTERS
- Dilsey Gibson – The Compson family’s black servant who is dedicated to her work and cares for the Compson children.
- Benjy Compson – The youngest Compson sibling, who has an intellectual disability and struggles to understand the world around him.
- Quentin Compson – The second oldest Compson sibling, who is obsessed with his family’s history and his sister Caddy’s sexuality.
- Jason Compson – The oldest Compson sibling, who is bitter and cynical, and obsessed with money.
- Caddy Compson – The only female Compson sibling, who is rebellious and has a child out of wedlock.
- Caroline Compson – The mother of the Compson siblings, who is obsessed with social status and appearances.
- Maury Bascomb – Caddy’s first lover and the father of her child.
- Jason Compson Jr. – The father of the Compson siblings, who is an alcoholic and largely absent from their lives.
THEMES
There are several themes explored in “The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner. Here are a few of the most prominent:
Time: One of the major themes of the novel is the passing of time and its effects on individuals and families. The Compson family is haunted by their past and their inability to escape the consequences of their actions.
Family: The relationships between family members are a central focus of the novel. Faulkner explores the complex dynamics of the Compson family, including the love, resentment, and bitterness that exists between them.
Memory: Memory is a recurring theme in the novel, as the characters are constantly revisiting their pasts and trying to make sense of their lives. The novel suggests that memory is both a source of comfort and a burden.
Gender: Faulkner also explores issues of gender in the novel, particularly through the character of Caddy. Her sexuality and independence challenge traditional gender roles and cause her family to reject her.
Race: Race is another important theme in the novel, as the Compson family’s relationship with their black servant, Dilsey, reveals the racial tensions of the time.
Loss and Despair: The characters in the novel are often consumed by feelings of loss and despair, as they struggle to come to terms with their pasts and their present situations.
Language and Communication: The novel also explores issues of language and communication, as the characters struggle to express themselves and connect with others. The use of different narrative styles and voices in the novel reflects these challenges.
SYMBOLLISM
“The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner is rich with symbolism that helps to deepen the meaning of the narrative. Here are some examples of the symbolism used in the book:
The Clock: The clock that ticks relentlessly in the background throughout the novel is a powerful symbol of time and the inevitability of its passing. It represents the Compson family’s inability to escape their past and the tragedy that seems to be closing in on them.
The River: The river that runs through the novel represents the flow of time and the inevitability of change. It also serves as a symbol of life and death, as characters are born and die along its banks.
The Compson House: The Compson house is a symbol of the family’s decline and decay. It is filled with memories of the past, but it is also falling apart and decaying, reflecting the family’s own disintegration.
The Tree: The tree that Benjy associates with Caddy is a powerful symbol of the loss of innocence and the passage of time. As the tree is cut down, it symbolizes the destruction of the Compson family’s past and the loss of their childhood innocence.
The Mirror: The mirror is a symbol of self-reflection and self-awareness. It is associated with Quentin, who is consumed by his own reflection and the knowledge of his own mortality.
Color: Color is used throughout the novel as a symbol of mood and emotion. For example, the color white is associated with purity and innocence, while the color black is associated with death and decay.
Sound: Sound is a recurring motif in the novel, and it is often used as a symbol of the characters’ emotional states. The sound of the past echoes through the novel, and the sound of the future seems to be closing in on the characters, creating a sense of inevitability and foreboding.
DISCUSSION
Narrative Structure: The novel is told from multiple perspectives and is non-linear in structure. Students could discuss the impact of this narrative structure on their reading experience and how it reflects the themes of the novel.
Symbolism: The novel is rich in symbolism, including the clock, the river, the tree, and the mirror. Students could discuss the significance of these symbols and how they contribute to the meaning of the novel.
Time: Time is a central theme of the novel, and students could explore how it is portrayed in the novel and how it affects the characters.
Family: The novel explores the dynamics of a dysfunctional family, and students could discuss the different relationships between the Compson family members and how they contribute to the family’s decline.
Gender and Sexuality: The novel portrays gender and sexuality in complex ways, particularly through the character of Caddy. Students could discuss the representation of gender and sexuality in the novel and how it reflects the cultural norms of the time.
Race: The novel also portrays race in complicated ways, particularly through the character of Dilsey. Students could discuss the portrayal of race in the novel and how it reflects the racial tensions of the time.
Language and Style: Faulkner’s use of language and style is often considered experimental and difficult. Students could discuss the impact of Faulkner’s style on the reading experience and how it contributes to the meaning of the novel.
SUMMARIES
Section one of “The Sound and the Fury” is narrated by Benjy Compson, a severely mentally disabled man who has trouble understanding the world around him. The section takes place over the course of one day, April 7th, 1928, but Benjy’s narration jumps back and forth in time, making it difficult to follow the events in a linear fashion.
The section is characterized by a stream-of-consciousness style, with Benjy’s thoughts and memories blending together in a non-linear fashion. We learn that Benjy was originally named Maury, but his name was changed to Benjy when he began exhibiting signs of mental disability.
Benjy is particularly fixated on his sister Caddy, who he associates with the smell of trees. He is deeply disturbed when Caddy gets married and has sex for the first time, and this event seems to haunt him throughout the section.
Throughout the section, we see glimpses of the Compson family’s dysfunction and decline. Jason, Benjy’s older brother, is cruel to him, and Benjy’s mother is more concerned with appearances than with her son’s well-being. We also see how the family’s behavior affects Benjy, who is often confused and frightened by what is going on around him.
Overall, section one provides a unique perspective on the Compson family and their past, but it is also challenging to read and understand, due to its non-linear structure and Benjy’s stream-of-consciousness narration.
Section two of “The Sound and the Fury” is narrated by Quentin Compson, the oldest son of the Compson family. The section takes place on June 2, 1910, which is the day of Quentin’s suicide.
The section is characterized by a fragmented and disjointed narrative, as Quentin’s thoughts and memories jump back and forth in time. Quentin is preoccupied with his family’s history and his sister Caddy’s sexuality, which he sees as a symbol of the family’s moral decay.
Quentin is deeply troubled by the loss of his family’s honor and the belief that he and his family are tainted by their past. He sees his own death as a way to escape this shame and to protect his sister Caddy’s reputation.
Throughout the section, we see Quentin struggle to come to terms with his own mortality and the inevitability of time. He is haunted by memories of his past and is unable to escape the feeling that his life is out of his control.
Overall, section two is a poignant and deeply introspective exploration of Quentin’s inner life and his struggle to make sense of his family’s decline. The section is characterized by a complex narrative structure that reflects the disordered state of Quentin’s mind, and it provides a unique perspective on the Compson family’s troubled history.
Section three of “The Sound and the Fury” is narrated by Jason Compson, the eldest son of the Compson family. This section takes place on April 6, 1928, the day before the events of the previous two sections.
Jason is bitter and cynical, and he is obsessed with money and the corrupting influence of capitalism. He is frustrated by his sister Caddy’s promiscuity and the fact that he has been left to care for her illegitimate daughter, Miss Quentin.
Throughout the section, we see Jason engage in a series of manipulative and cruel actions, including stealing money from Miss Quentin, blackmailing Caddy’s former lover, and firing Dilsey, the family’s black servant. Jason is consumed by his own bitterness and resentment, and he is unable to see anything positive in the world around him.
The section provides a bleak and unsympathetic perspective on the Compson family’s decline, and it suggests that the family’s problems are largely the result of their own greed and selfishness. While the previous two sections focused on the internal struggles of Benjy and Quentin, section three provides a harsh and unforgiving view of the family’s situation from an outsider’s perspective.
Section four of “The Sound and the Fury” is narrated by an unnamed third-person narrator and is the most straightforward of the four sections. This section takes place on April 8, 1928, the day after the events of the previous section.
The section follows Dilsey, the Compson family’s black servant, as she tries to keep the family together in the face of their dysfunction and decline. Dilsey is a complex and sympathetic character, who is deeply committed to her work and cares for the Compson children, despite their flaws.
Throughout the section, we see Dilsey struggle to keep the family together, even as they are falling apart around her. She cares for Benjy, who is confused and frightened by the world around him, and tries to comfort Miss Quentin, who is struggling with the loss of her mother and the harsh treatment she receives from Jason.
The section provides a contrast to the previous three sections, which focused on the internal struggles of the Compson family members. Dilsey is an outsider to the family, but she is the only character who is able to see beyond their dysfunction and offer a measure of hope and redemption.
Overall, section four provides a more positive and redemptive conclusion to the novel, as Dilsey’s resilience and dedication provide a ray of hope in an otherwise bleak and troubled world.