The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner :: Sound fury william Faulkner Essays

The Sound and the Fury by William FaulknerWilliam Faulkners The Sound and the Fury is a novel that depicts the loss of traditional Confederate values after the Civil War. This corruption is shown through the Compson family, whose notions of family keep and obsession with their family name are the driving force in break in all the ties that once held them together. Mr. Compson tries to instill these notions into his four children, but each is so occupied by their own beliefs and obsessions that this effort results in a sign that is completely devoid of love and consumed by self-absorption. Caddy is perhaps the to the highest degree prominent figure in the novel. The three Compson boys obsess over her, smell to her as a mother figure and source of love and agreement but ironically, it is Caddy that serves as the familys downfall. Engaging in land up and getting pregnant, Caddy not only shames her family but also tramples all the ideals of the old South, as does her daughter af ter her. Quentin relies on his knowledge of Southern codes to provide order, yet Jason cares only for himself and his personal gain. These traits are pivotal in explaining Faulkners purpose, using one familys corruption as a symbol of the downfall of the old South. season is also an important model in Faulkners novel. Times influence on gracious interaction and thought is depicted through the three Compson boys. Benjy, who is mentally retarded and has no concept of time, uses his disability to campaign the Compsons obsession with their name and honor. Quentin retardation is obsessed with the past and is trapped in these thoughts, eventually committing suicide to escape the ticking of time. Jason concentrates only on the present and future, believing that time give the bounce never be wasted and letting greed consume him. Times influence on the family also helps to showcase the novels purpose as it slowly eats away at the family and set ahead contributes to its corruptio n. Though The Sound and the Fury is about the downfall of the old South, Faulkner uses the Compsons retainer Dilsey as a symbol of hope for the future.