April 8, 1928

I found this last section to be the most appropriate. There is much needed closure with a saga that you think would never end. Faulkner finally takes over, once there is nothing left to see of the Compson's. I also thought it was the most accessible and interesting. Faulkner is no longer speaking for the characters. Rather, he assumes the role of a sort of omniscient narrator, implying that there is nothing left to be said of the Compson family, but subtly hinting at the end that there is order. However, for said order, certain Compson's can no longer be there because they would only sabotage any chances of prosperity. Don't get me wrong. This is not Faulkner's section, it is Dilsey's. Through Dilsey, though, Faulkner communicates with the reader objectively.

I really enjoyed that each section had clear contrast with the other ones. Stylistically, Jason's, Dilsey's, and Quentin's sections are prose. Benjy's, on the other hand, is a mess, but it perfectly executes Benjy's thought processes and existence by writing in this handicapped narration, if you will. Faulkner proves his versatility as a writer, adapting to each of his lead characters with varying narratives. It makes me wonder how effective it would be if Faulkner published each section as a series of short stories that would make up one major saga. Published in episodes, it may resemble a really good soap opera, but I bet readers would be eager to read them.

To start with Benjy, though, is very daunting, as mentioned in my last post on Sound and the Fury. Although Quentin's section is arguably the most complicated in substance, reading Benjy's goes against all your knowledge of the English language, and at first it was downright repulsive and frustrating. Anyone with a trained tongue would find it difficult, while illiterates ( i think )would succeed because of the heavy reliance on phonetics.

Lastly, to close with a third person narration by Faulkner is refreshing, because Sound and the Fury is very unrelenting, even though it is divided in sections. As gripping as it may be, I don't think this is a single setting novel, but I felt that I would never rest until the Compson family finally deteriorated. After moments of thinking they were finally done for, the Compson's still manage to show signs of life amidst all the misgivings. This may be a faulty reading on my part because I still blindly rooted for a dysfunctional family bound for disaster. Once Miss Quentin vanishes (to me, the final blow), and to some extent, Jason's hysterical, comical, but pathetic chase, this clan can no longer function. Everybody is inept and afflicted by Caddy's departure, which is the worst thing to do to those obsessed with her. Benjy can't take care of himself, Jason is stuck after he loses his job, and Quentin can't live knowing of Caddy's way. One way or the other, they are all tied to Caddy and yoknapatawpha, plus, everybody is so emotionally distraught that there is little to no hope.