Benjy's Chapter

Benjy's account of the Compson family is said to take place in 1928, however his stories range over a large span of time. In no specific chronological order, Benjy re-accounts multiple memories of the Compsons. I found this to be difficult to follow at times for there is nothing to specifically distinguish the time period the reader is in and the memories that Benjy recalls. It may seem strange that Faulkner would begin his novel with the character described to be an "idiot." However, I feel Faulkner set up his novel in this way so the reader could hear the stories of the Compsons through the most innocent mind provided.

 The date of Benjy's account, April Seventh, 1928, is particularly intriguing for this was the Saturday before Easter. What makes this more fascinating is that Benjy is 33 years old, which happens to be the same age of Christ when he was crucified. Automatically, Faulkner begins his novel by creating Benjy as the symbolic figure of salvation for the Compsons. In this case Benjy may prove to not be an "idiot" to his family after all, but rather their source of redemption.

I often times found myself rather sympathetic of Benjy. He is looked down upon in his family (even his own mother even views him as punishment for marrying into a lower social class). Benjy however is rather nostalgic, which I felt emphasized Benjy's fondness towards his memories. As for the family as a whole, I felt that Benjy's tendency to be nostalgic shows the need to cling to the past, rather than face the present. This ties into the South due to its recent past with the Civil War during this time period. Despite the fact that slavery was abolished, the same family continues to work for the Compsons. Another thing about Benjy is that he insists on consistency. I found his name change to be the greatest disruption of Benjy's desire to stay consistent. I admire that Benjy has these need because I felt this made his stories more factual. Because he is at the bottom of his family already, he gains nothing from being bias or creating stories in his head. Although he has disabilities, I think he may be the most reliable source in the novel.

William Faulkner's The Sound and The Fury

The Sound and The Fury has often been said to be William Faulkner's greatest work, which is impressive considering it was only his fourth novel. Without yet reading the book, I learned that Faulkner has a very distinct style shown in his frequent shifts of time, narrator shifts, and his ability to subtly reveal the thoughts of his characters to the reader. He presents each character with their own set of views and biases, as each tells their own perspective on a particular story.
A graduate instructor of English and PhD candidate of the University of Mississippi in Oxford, John B. Padgett, created a website dedicated to William Faulkner. Padgett created this website as a way for readers of Faulkner to find a better understanding of his works, lift, and world. Padgett explains his experience with reading The Sound and The Fury as something he cannot merely describe. Padgett points out that one of the first things readers will recognize in Faulkner's novel is the language. He explains that the language is difficult to comprehend for it "has to be," because of "the old verities and truths of the heart" that cannot merely be told in only a few words. It is made clear that The Sound and The Fury is a very difficult book to understand, however provides an experience that is highly rewarding.
Padgett's website provides all the information needed while reading Faulkner. I learned a lot about Faulkner's life. He grew up in Rowan Oak, and preferred to be out of the "public eye." This was difficult for him however, as the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950. Faulkner was very inspired by his surroundings, and was most productive while alone in Rowan Oak. I found it very fascinating to discover that Faulkner is "the most-studies author in the world, with more books, articles, and papers written about his work than any other writer besides Shakespeare."
Faulkner describes his novel The Sound and The Fury to be his "most splendid failure." There are four sections in the book, each told in a different character's perspective. The novel has been both highly praised and criticized. It provokes a vast variety of opinions and interpretations. I was informed that Caddy Compson plays a very significant role, and may even be the key character in the novel. I will be sure to read about her very closely as I immerse myself into this novel.