Summary
The Sound and the Fury, published in 1929, is widely considered William Faulkner's masterpiece and one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. Set in Jefferson, Mississippi, it tells the tragic story of the Compson family's decline through four distinct narrative voices—the three Compson brothers and the family's longtime Black servant. Exploring themes of time, memory, and the decay of the Old South, the novel was groundbreaking for its stream-of-consciousness style. Opening a window into its characters' inner psychological turmoil, The Sound and the Fury cemented Faulkner’s reputation as a pioneer of modernist literature
Plot
The Sound and the Fury follows the decline of the Compson family in Jefferson, Mississippi, over several decades in the early 20th century. The novel is divided into four sections, each narrated from a different perspective. Opening on April 7, 1928, the first section is narrated by Benjy, the mentally disabled youngest Compson son. Benjy's stream-of-consciousness account jumps between memories, particularly those involving his beloved sister, Caddy.
The second section is narrated by Quentin Compson, the eldest son, on June 2, 1910, the day of his suicide. Quentin is obsessed with Southern ideals of honor and his sister's virginity. He is unable to cope with Caddy's promiscuity and pregnancy, which leads to his suicidal thoughts.
The third section, taking place on April 6, 1928, is narrated by Jason, the cynical third Compson son, who has become head of the household. Bitter about having to care for his family, Jason is secretly stealing money meant for Caddy's daughter, Miss Quentin.
The novel concludes on April 8, 1928. The final section is told from a third-person perspective, focusing on Dilsey, the Compsons' longtime Black servant. Dilsey takes Benjy to Easter church services while Jason sets out in pursuit of Miss Quentin, who has run away with a man from a traveling show and stolen Jason's hidden stash of money.
Throughout the non-chronological narrative, key events in the family's history are gradually revealed, including Caddy's loss of virginity, marriage, and banishment from the family. The novel portrays the Compsons' downfall through financial ruin, loss of reputation, and the tragedy of each family member. Themes of time, memory, and the decay of Southern aristocratic values are explored through the fragmented perspectives of the different narrators.
Themes
The decline of the American South
The disintegration of the family
The burden of the past
Loss of innocence
The nature of time and memory
Race relations in the South
The conflict between traditional and modern values
Setting
Set in the fictional town of Jefferson, Mississippi, in the early 20th century, The Sound and the Fury unfolds against the backdrop of the declining American South. The novel spans from 1910 to 1928, capturing a period of significant social and economic change.
The story takes place primarily on the Compson family property, a once-grand estate that symbolizes the family's deteriorating fortunes and status. Key locations include the Compson house, its grounds, and the nearby town. The golf course that was formerly Compson land features prominently, representing the family's loss of wealth and position in the community.
Beyond Jefferson, the novel briefly shifts to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Quentin attends Harvard University. This change in setting highlights the contrast between the tradition-bound South and the more progressive North, while also emphasizing Quentin's internal struggles as he tries to reconcile his Southern values with a changing world.
Characters
Benjamin “Benjy” Compson: The youngest Compson son. Mentally disabled, Benjy is 33 years old but has the mind of a child. He is deeply attached to his sister Caddy and struggles to understand the changes in his family. Benjy's non-linear, stream-of-consciousness narration opens the novel.
Quentin Compson III: The eldest Compson son. Quentin is an intelligent but tormented young man obsessed with his sister Caddy's sexuality and loss of virginity. Unable to cope with his family's decline and his own conflicted feelings, Quentin commits suicide while a student at Harvard.
Jason Compson IV: The third Compson child. Jason is bitter, cynical, and abusive. He resents his family and is obsessed with money. Jason embezzles from his niece and mistreats his family members and the servants. He represents the decline of Southern aristocratic values.
Candace “Caddy” Compson: The only Compson daughter. Though she doesn't narrate any section, Caddy is central to the novel. Her loss of virginity and subsequent pregnancy trigger much of the family turmoil. She is loving towards Benjy but exiled from the family after her divorce.
Caroline Compson: The self-absorbed, hypochondriac Compson mother. She favors Jason and neglects her other children, especially Benjy. Her neurotic behavior contributes to the family's dysfunction.
Jason Compson III: The Compson father. An alcoholic who espouses nihilistic philosophies that deeply affect Quentin. He is largely absent as a father figure.
Dilsey Gibson: The Compsons' long-suffering Black cook and housekeeper. Dilsey provides stability and compassion in the deteriorating household. She cares for Benjy and represents endurance and faith.
Miss Quentin: Caddy's illegitimate daughter who is raised by the Compsons. She rebels against Jason's strict control and eventually runs away, stealing Jason's hidden money.
Quick facts
The Sound and the Fury is told from four different perspectives, with the first three sections each narrated by one of the Compson brothers.
Faulkner considered Caddy, the only Compson daughter, to be the novel’s true hero, despite not giving her a section to narrate herself.
The novel's title comes from a famous soliloquy in Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Faulkner originally intended to use different colored inks to represent different time periods, but his publisher rejected the idea as too expensive.
The character Benjy was originally named Maury, after Faulkner’s uncle, but his name was changed when Faulkner’s family discovered the character’s disability.
The novel's stream-of-consciousness style was influenced by James Joyce's Ulysses.
Faulkner wrote most of the novel while working nights at a power plant.
The Sound and the Fury was initially a commercial failure, selling only 3,000 copies in its first printing.
In 1945, Faulkner wrote an appendix to the novel providing background on the Compson family history.
Screen adaptations include a 1959 film starring Yul Brynner and a 2014 version, directed by and starring James Franco, that premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
The Sound and the Fury is now considered one of the most influential modernist novels of the 20th century.
About the Author
William Faulkner (1897-1962) was one of the most influential American novelists of the 20th century. Born in New Albany, Mississippi, Faulkner spent most of his life in Oxford, Mississippi, which served as inspiration for the fictional Yoknapatawpha County where many of his stories are set. After brief stints in the Canadian Royal Air Force and at the University of Mississippi, Faulkner began his writing career in earnest in the 1920s.
Faulkner's literary reputation rests primarily on his novels published between 1929 and 1936, including The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, Light in August, and Absalom, Absalom!. These works are characterized by their experimental narrative techniques, complex structures, and exploration of the history and culture of the American South. Faulkner's writing style is known for its long, winding sentences, multiple narrators, and non-linear storytelling.
Despite critical acclaim, Faulkner struggled financially for much of his career. He supplemented his income by working as a screenwriter in Hollywood intermittently from the 1930s to 1950s. Faulkner's literary fortunes changed dramatically in 1949 when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature “for his powerful and artistically unique contribution to the modern American novel.” This recognition brought renewed attention to his work and cemented his place in the literary canon.
Faulkner's influence extends far beyond American literature. His innovative narrative techniques and unflinching examination of the complexities of the human condition have inspired writers worldwide. Latin American authors such as Gabriel García Márquez and Mario Vargas Llosa have cited Faulkner as a major influence. Today, Faulkner is remembered not only as a towering figure of Southern literature but as one of the great modernist writers of the 20th century.
