Final Post

Throughout the progression of Faulkner's novel, the narrative voice becomes more coherent towards the ending, leading to a final chapter in the fairly straight forward 3rd person. At first, I found it difficult to fathom Faulkner's reasoning for arranging the story in such a way. However, I felt a sense of growth in the story through the development from the Old South into the New South.
Pulling his novel into four separate parts with four separate narrators allows the reader to truly step inside each individuals mind and understand their perspective(whether they agree with it or not.) I felt I had the chance to understand how each of the Compson boys were different, while also realizing how they are all alike. For example; they differ in their views, but are alike in that all three meditate back to their childhood, and their thoughts always seem to circle back to their sister Caddy. I highly admire Faulkner's use of narration development in this novel.
The final chapter of the story could be considered to be in Dilsey's point of view, however unlike the other narrations, the story is told in the 3rd person, so the speaker feels much more omniscient. I find myself questioning why Faulkner would choose to write the narration of the final chapter this way? I feel it is possible that he did not want to assume the mind of a woman and write from a female perspective, however that seems too simple of a reason for Faulkner. Despite my efforts I may never understand the great brilliance behind Faulkner's mindset.*sigh*
This novel is centered primarily around Caddy, however we never get to meet her in a present moment, but rather she is always a piece of the past. We discussed in class how not only the readers, but Faulkner himself, have a great admiration towards Caddy. To me, Caddy is the purpose of this novel. Faulkner himself refers to her as his "hearts darling." Her role is imperative to every aspect of this story. Caddy is a representation of the New South emerging from the Old, and she is the ground of all the advancements presented in this story.
The Sound and the Fury is considered to be a great tragedy, yet their is not necessarily any tragic ending. There really is not much of an ending at all to this story. The book begins in a rather chaotic manor with Benjy's chapter, however ends in a calm narrative. This gives the reader a feeling of ease with the ending. I feel content with the ending, because Quentin achieved what Caddy had so longed to do; she escaped the Compson family. So we can hope for a better life for Quentin, and we can assume life to go on as usual in the Compson family household.