Literature Analysis

1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read.

The first “day” of the novel, April 7, 1928, is the day of the memories of Benjy Compson, the mentally challenged youngest son of a wealthy Southern family. It is also his thirty-third birthday. These memories range anywhere from delivering love notes to his uncle’s mistress with his sister, Caddy, to his memory of the night Caddy lost her virginity. Each of his memories involves Caddy, showing that Benjy and her are very close. His memories range anywhere from 1898 to 1913 and each one gives a little glimpse into his growing up misunderstood, in a dysfunctional, wealthy family.

         The next chapter of the novel is on June 2, 1910, and is from Quentin Compson’s point of view. Now going to Harvard, paying tuition with the money made by selling Benjy’s favorite pasture, Quentin is depressed (suicidal?). Quentin has memories of falsely admitting of committing incest with his sister Caddy to their father and that he was the father of her illegitimate child (later to be named Quentin as well). Quentin breaks, out of resent, the face of a watch his father gave him. We find he is depressed about being a virgin. He buys weights and sends letters to his roommate and his father, then takes a train ride and a trolley ride. He thinks more about his sister and his parents and gets into a fight with a friend of his.

         The third chapter is on April 6,1928, from the point of view of bitter and angry Jason Compson. The chapter opens with Jason fighting with his mother and niece, Caddy’s illegitimate daughter Miss Quentin. We also see that Jason resents his sister and her daughter for ruining his chances at a good job. He keeps the money that Caddy sends him to take care of their mother and gambles. Jason nearly beats Miss Quentin, then goes back to his dead end job that he hates so much. There, he sees Miss Quentin with a man. Again, at dinner, there  is arguing between Jason, his mother, and Miss Quentin.

         The last chapter of this novel is on April 8,1928, is Easter Sunday. Jason discovers Miss Quentin is gone and has taken his money. Dilsey, Luster, Frony, and Benjy all go to the local black church for Easter service while Jason is refused help by the Sheriff. We find that Jason has issues with women as he drives to track down Miss Quentin. The novel closes with Jason coming across Luster and an upset Benjy, who was taken off of his usual route to the cemetery. Jason disciplines Luster, who takes Benjy back of his usual route. All is calm.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.

         The theme of this novel is that all families, no matter how rich or how high their social status is, are dysfunctional and have issues.

3. Describe the author's tone.  Include three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).

         In Benjy’s chapter, the author’s tone is scattered and unclear, much as Benjy’s thoughts are. Caddy smelled like trees and like when she says we were asleep.”

            In Quentin’s chapter, the tone is sad and regretful. “

            In Jason’s chapter, the tone is angry and resentful. “Once a bitch always a bitch, what I say.”Like Father said down the long and lonely light-rays you might see Jesus walking, like. And the good Saint Francis that said Little Sister Death, that never had a sister.”

4. Describe five literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the theme and/or your sense of the tone.  Include three excerpts that will help your reader understand each one.

Faulkner uses symbolism to represent the themes of this novel “Roses. Not virgins like dogwood, milkweed. I said I have committed incest, Father I said. Roses.”

His diction and syntax both help the reader understand the characters involved in and telling the story. "They aint no luck going be on no place where one of they own chillen's name aint never spoke."

The structure Faulkner uses also adds to the understanding of his themes.

Faulkner’s varying tones also added to the idea of different people adding different perspectives to the story. “I couldn't feel the gate at all, but I could smell the bright cold.” –Benjy