Assignment Topic

Introduction to ‘’The Sound and the Fury’’

Course Title

American Literature-II 3(3-0)

Submitted To

Ma’am Zahida Rehman

Submitted By

Sehar Kazmi (514134)

Usama Ahmad (514138)
Muhammad Jaffer (514137)
Tahir Abbas (514136)

Government College University Faisalabad

 William Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury"

Part 1: Introduction

1.1 Author Introduction:

William Faulkner (1897-1962) was an American novelist and short-story

writer considered one of the most significant figures in 20th-century
Southern literature. Born in Mississippi, Faulkner's writing often explored
themes of the American South, including its history, social and racial
tensions, and the decline of aristocratic families. His works are
characterized by complex narratives, rich symbolism, and innovative use
of stream-of-consciousness techniques. Faulkner received the Nobel Prize
in Literature in 1949.

1.2 Literary Work:

"The Sound and the Fury," published in 1929, is considered Faulkner's

most important novel and one of the greatest American novels ever
written. It tells the story of the Compson family, a once-proud Southern
dynasty in decline, through the fragmented perspectives of four narrators:
Benjy, Quentin, Jason, and Dilsey. The novel examines themes of family,
history, race, memory, and the loss of innocence.

Part 2: Introduction to the Novel

2.1 Summary

"The Sound and the Fury" chronicles the disintegration of the Compson family over a
period of several decades. The novel is divided into four sections, each narrated by a
different character:
 ● Benjy's Section: Benjy, the eldest Compson child, is mentally disabled and
experiences the world through a fragmented sense of time and memory. His
section, told in a stream-of-consciousness style, portrays the past and present
intermingling in his mind.
● Quentin's Section: Quentin, the youngest Compson child, is obsessed with his
sister Caddy's lost innocence and the decline of the Compson family. His section
takes place on his last day in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and reveals his internal
struggle with grief, guilt, and suicidal thoughts.
● Jason's Section: Jason, the youngest Compson brother, is a morally bankrupt
opportunist who seeks to exploit the family's remaining assets. His section,
narrated in a third-person limited perspective, reveals his scheming and
manipulative nature.
● Dilsey's Section: Dilsey, the Compsons' black servant, is the novel's moral
center. Her section, narrated in a lyrical style, offers a compassionate and
enduring perspective on the family's history and struggles.

The novel's fragmented narrative structure and multiple perspectives challenge

the reader to piece together the events and characters' relationships, creating a
complex and multifaceted understanding of the Compson family's tragedy.

2.2 Character Introduction:

● Quentin Compson: The youngest Compson son, haunted by the past and
obsessed with his sister Caddy's lost innocence. He grapples with guilt, grief, and
a sense of responsibility for the family's downfall.
● Benjy Compson: The eldest Compson son, mentally disabled and unable to
understand the world around him. He experiences time and memory in a
fragmented way, reliving past events alongside present moments.
● Jason Compson III: The middle Compson son, a cold, calculating, and
manipulative opportunist. He exploits the family's remaining wealth for his own
benefit, showing no compassion or empathy.
● Caddy Compson: The Compson daughter, whose lost innocence fuels the novel's
narrative and symbolizes the decline of the family's social standing.
● Dilsey Gibson: The Compsons' black servant, a strong, compassionate figure
who represents stability and endurance amidst the family's chaos.
 2.3 Themes:

The Sound and Fury tackles a rich tapestry of themes, with some of the
most prominent being:

Time, Memory, and the Past:

Faulkner's innovative narrative structure, particularly the

stream-of-consciousness technique, disrupts linear time, blending past, present,
and future in the characters' minds. Memory plays a crucial role, both unreliable
and subjective, shaping their understanding of themselves and the world. The
past haunts the present, especially for Quentin and Benjy, who struggle to
escape its shadows.

Decline and Corruption:

The Compson family, once prominent in the South, undergoes a steady decline
fueled by alcoholism, financial mismanagement, and moral decay. This decline
reflects the broader struggles of the South in the aftermath of the Civil War and
the changing social order. Corruption seeps into various aspects of their lives,
from Quentin's suicide to Jason's exploitation of others.

Words and Language:

Faulkner's virtuosic use of language and his innovative narrative techniques

challenge the readers' understanding of communication and meaning. The
limitations of language become apparent, especially in Benjy's
stream-of-consciousness sections, where words cannot fully capture his
experience. Jason, on the other hand, relies on a harsh, pragmatic language that
reveals his shallowness and inability to connect with others.

Sin and Sexuality:

The novel grapples with complex themes of sin, transgression, and sexuality.
Caddy's loss of innocence, Quentin's obsession with her, and Dilsey's stoic but
unwavering faith create a tension between societal expectations and individual
desires. The exploration of forbidden desires and their consequences
underscores the moral complexities of the characters' lives.

Race and Class: The South's racial tensions and the rigid class hierarchy cast a
long shadow over the narrative. Benjy's epilepsy triggers racial anxieties, while
Quentin's suicide is partly fueled by his inability to reconcile his class privilege
with his attraction to a Black woman. Dilsey, as a Black domestic worker,
embodies the resilience and strength of marginalized communities in the face of
discrimination.

These are just some of the central themes in The Sound and Fury. The novel's
rich symbolism, complex characters, and innovative narrative techniques invite
multiple interpretations and offer an in-depth exploration of the human condition,
family dynamics, and the South's turbulent history.

Bibliography

● The Cambridge Companion to William Faulkner:

● William Faulkner: A Critical Introduction: By M. Thomas Gilmore
● Faulkner's Modernism: Edited by Robert T. Denham