The Sound and the Fury

The Sound and the Fury, by William Faulkner, consists of four sections, linked by a common set of characters and themes. Each might be read as an autonomous work. They all tell episodes in the decline of the Compson family, but are only loosley connected. Furthermore, the first three sections are presented from the perspective of characters whose impressions may not necessarily be reliable. These include Benjy--the severely retarded youngest son of the Compsons, who's section consists mostly of sensual impressions blended with memories, Quentin--the oldest son of the Compsons, who is a Harvard student, but finds himself so trapped by past memories, he cannot live his life in the present, and Jason--the Compsons middle son, who is unfazed by the past and is only concerned with manipulating people in the present and future.

Critical reations to The Sound and the Fury were by no means universally favorable when it first apeared in print in 1929. While finding the novel powerful and sincere, many critics did not approve of Faulkner's style. Some critics began to praise it, however, and before long the novel was quite popular, earning Faulkner the "recognition which his talent deserved" (Scott 25). Though the novel is by no means a light read or a good "trashy beach novel" because it necessitates such in depth analysis to comprehend its true meaning, it is an outstanding work of literature which has rightfully earned its place among the America's Best 100 Novels. - RJG