Background and Introduction The Sound and the Fury Background and Introduction

General Introduction Portrays the fall of a family and the death of a society = the collapse of provincial aristocracy A claustrophobic account of a single family and a narrow sequence of events A novel of family, place, and past

General Introduction Yoknapatawpha County = self-contained, insular existence The passing of the old South = the ascendancy of a changed world

General Introduction The Compsons = a once-proud and great family, now come to a terrible end Estate = The Compson Mile

The Compson Curse The “Compson curse” = meaning eludes Faulkner critics Quentin = “the bad blood of the Bascombs” Caddy = simply says they are cursed but cannot say why Old Man Compson = thinks all mankind is cursed

Time Note clock, watch and time references throughout the novel Early action begins in 1898 when the Compson children are small and ends April 8, 1928

Time The April 6-8, 1928 action revolves around Jason and Miss Quentin (uncle and niece) Simple action: Jason antagonizes Miss Quentin, she steals his hoarded money and runs off, Jason chases after her

April 7, 1928 : Benjy Saturday before Easter Narrative ranges from 1898 to 1928 Special emphasis on 1899 to 1910 Early childhood 1899-1905 Benjy is outside of time

June 2, 1910 : Quentin Focuses on events leading up to 1910 Quentin is destroyed by time

April 6, 1928 : Jason Good Friday Focuses on action from 1910 to 1928 Emphasis on the narrative present Obsessed with time Always just a little too late

April 8, 1928: Dilsey Easter Sunday Aware of time in the correct manner A presence of order and peace

The Compsons -- Parents Jason Compson III Caroline Bascomb Compson Father, drinks Mother, selfish

The Compsons -- Children Quentin Compson Caddy (Candace) Compson Jason Compson IV Benjy (Maury!!!) Oldest son Sexual, rebellious Negative Howls and moans

The Compsons -- Others Miss Quentin Uncle Maury Bascomb Damuddy Dalton Ames Caddy’s daughter Drinker, worthless Mrs. Compson’s mother (dies 1898) Caddy’s sexual liaison

The Gibsons -- Parents Dilsey Roskus Black housekeeper Dilsey’s husband

The Gibsons -- Children Versh TP Frony Luster Benjy’s caretaker 1898-1902 Benjy’s caretaker 1905 and later Dilsey’s daughter Frony’s son, Benjy’s caretaker 1928

Reading Tips A shift from Roman to italic type often signals a movement in time Carefully note references to Benjy’s caretaker!

Reading Tips -- Recurring Images The Branch or Caddy’s muddy drawers = Damuddy’s death in 1898 Fire, rain, mirrors = changing of Benjy’s name in 1900

Reading Tips -- Recurring Images Cold, hands in pockets = the Patterson Episode (Christmas 1902) Did/did not smell like trees, bathroom = Caddy’s period of sexuality, 1905-1910 “sasprilluh” = Caddy’s wedding in April 1910

Reading Tips -- Recurring Images Iron gate = Benjy’s castration in May 1910 Howling, moaning = scenes connected with death