1. Background and Introduction
The Sound and the Fury
Background and Introduction

2. 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

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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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

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

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

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

14. 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

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

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

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

18. 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

19. 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,
“sasprilluh” = Caddy’s wedding in April 1910

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