The Sound and the Fury Summary

Section One (April 7, 1928)

Section One of The Sound and the Fury takes place on April 7, 1928, and is narrated by Benjy Compson, a 33-year-old man with an intellectual disability. Benjy’s narrative is fragmented and non-linear, as his perception of time is fluid, moving seamlessly between the past and present. His memories are triggered by sensory experiences, such as the sound of a golf course or the sight of a fire. Through his disjointed recollections, key events in the Compson family’s history are revealed: Caddy’s fall from innocence, the loss of family land, and the overall decay of the Compson household. Benjy’s fixation on his sister Caddy, who represents purity and care in his life, emphasizes the family’s emotional trauma and the impact of Caddy’s later actions. Faulkner uses Benjy’s perspective to create a sense of confusion and highlight the fragmentation within the family and the complexities of memory.

Section Two (June 2, 1910)

Section Two of The Sound and the Fury, set on June 2, 1910, is narrated by Quentin Compson, the eldest son of the Compson family. The narrative captures Quentin’s final day before his suicide, unfolding through a fragmented and non-linear stream-of-consciousness. Quentin is obsessed with the concepts of time, honor, and purity, particularly regarding his sister, Caddy. He is tormented by Caddy’s sexual promiscuity, which he perceives as a stain on the family’s honor. His internal struggle with his father’s nihilistic views on life and his intense love for Caddy lead to a psychological breakdown. Throughout the section, Quentin’s memories and delusions blend with his immediate reality, reflecting his deteriorating mental state. The omnipresence of time is symbolized by Quentin’s broken watch, a futile attempt to escape the passage of time and his inevitable fate. Ultimately, the section portrays Quentin’s tragic collapse under the weight of his obsessions.

Section Three (April 6, 1928)

Section Three of The Sound and the Fury, narrated by Jason Compson, shifts to a more direct and bitter tone, highlighting the family’s ongoing dysfunction. Set on April 6, 1928, Jason, the third Compson brother, is portrayed as cruel, self-centered, and obsessed with financial security. He struggles with feelings of resentment, particularly toward his niece, Miss Quentin, and his mother, whom he manipulates to assert control over the family’s remaining assets. Jason’s narrative reveals his involvement in dishonest schemes, including embezzling money meant for Miss Quentin. The section captures the Compsons’ downfall from Jason’s perspective, illustrating his harsh treatment of others and his inability to feel genuine compassion or connection. Through his narration, Faulkner emphasizes themes of greed, the collapse of Southern values, and the lack of redemption within the family, providing a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil present in the first two sections.

Section Four (April 8, 1928)

Section Four of The Sound and the Fury, narrated in third-person omniscient, shifts focus to the Compson family’s black servant, Dilsey. It takes place on Easter Sunday, emphasizing themes of endurance and redemption amid the family’s decay. Dilsey emerges as a figure of stability and moral strength, caring for the broken remnants of the Compson family. The narrative contrasts Dilsey’s resilience and deep sense of faith with the Compsons’ disintegration, particularly highlighting Jason’s relentless bitterness and desperation to control his niece, Miss Quentin. The day unfolds with Miss Quentin’s escape, having stolen money from Jason, signaling a final rupture in the family’s cohesion. Dilsey’s attendance at a powerful church service reinforces themes of spiritual rebirth and continuity, offering a glimmer of hope. The section concludes by emphasizing the irreversible collapse of the Compson family, but through Dilsey, Faulkner suggests the enduring strength of human dignity and faith.

Characters of The Sound and the fury

Here is an overview of the central characters in The Sound and the Fury:

1. Benjy Compson (Maury Compson)
   • The youngest Compson sibling, Benjy has an intellectual disability and serves as the narrator of the first section. His non-linear perspective, dictated by sensory experiences, reflects the family’s emotional turmoil.
2. Quentin Compson
   • The eldest son, Quentin is highly intelligent but emotionally fragile. His deep obsession with family honor and his sister Caddy’s perceived loss of purity lead to his mental unraveling. His narrative in the second section captures his psychological distress.
3. Caddy (Candace) Compson
   • The Compson daughter, Caddy is a central figure whose actions profoundly impact her brothers. Her loss of innocence and eventual estrangement from the family are pivotal events, though she never narrates her own section.
4. Jason Compson IV
   • The cynical, cruel, and self-serving third Compson sibling, Jason is the narrator of the third section. His bitterness and obsession with control reflect the family’s decline, and he takes out his frustrations on Miss Quentin.
5. Miss Quentin
   • Caddy’s rebellious daughter, raised by the Compsons after Caddy is banished. Miss Quentin is defiant and eventually escapes from Jason’s oppressive control, symbolizing a break from the family’s destructive cycle.
6. Dilsey
   • The Compson family’s loyal and wise black servant, Dilsey is a source of moral strength and compassion. In the final section, she emerges as a figure of endurance and faith, providing a sense of hope amidst the family’s collapse.
7. Mr. Jason Compson III
   • The alcoholic and cynical father of the Compson children. His nihilistic worldview contributes to the family’s dysfunction, and he is portrayed as detached and ineffective.
8. Caroline Compson
   • The self-absorbed and hypochondriacal mother, who is unable to provide emotional support for her children. She favors Jason over her other children and is preoccupied with maintaining her social status.

Themes of the sound and the fury

Here are some key themes in The Sound and the Fury:

1. The Decline of the Southern Aristocracy
   • The Compson family represents the disintegration of the old Southern aristocratic values. Faulkner explores the fading glory of Southern heritage, illustrating how the Compsons’ inability to adapt to modernity leads to their downfall.
2. Time and Memory
   • The novel’s non-linear structure and the characters’ struggles with the past emphasize the fluidity of time. Benjy’s narrative is a sensory patchwork of memories, while Quentin is trapped by his obsession with past events. The characters’ inability to escape their memories highlights the haunting and inescapable nature of time.
3. Family and Dysfunction
   • The Compson family’s dysfunction drives much of the narrative. The characters suffer from a lack of familial love, emotional support, and moral guidance, resulting in fractured relationships and destructive behaviors.
4. Innocence and Purity
   • Caddy’s loss of innocence is a recurring motif that deeply affects her brothers, especially Quentin. Her fall from grace symbolizes the collapse of traditional values and ideals, and it haunts the family’s collective consciousness.
5. Race and Class
   • Faulkner examines the complex social hierarchies of the South, highlighting the racial tensions and economic disparities of the era. The Compson family’s treatment of Dilsey and other black characters reflects the deep-rooted racism and class distinctions that shape Southern society.
6. The Power of Faith and Endurance
   • In contrast to the Compsons’ decline, Dilsey embodies strength, faith, and resilience. Her unwavering commitment to the family and her spirituality serve as a moral counterpoint, suggesting the possibility of endurance in the face of decay and suffering.
7. Mental Illness and Psychological Struggle
   • The novel portrays the psychological struggles of characters like Benjy and Quentin. Benjy’s mental disability and Quentin’s suicidal despair reflect the broader themes of helplessness and the inability to find meaning or solace in a disordered world.