The End

Personally, the ending to The Sound and the Fury was disappointing in a number of ways, the main being that Caddy was not the one to narrate the final chapter. She is perhaps the most important character in the whole story, yet she did not even get a chance to speak. And it was also a little boring to find out nothing after Miss Quentin's leaving, though it is implied that the Compson's name has been irreversibly tarnished.
An interesting thing about the ending is that it takes place on Easter Sunday, a day representative of Christ's resurrection, and overall hope. That certainly made me think as it seems a bit more than coincidence that this chapter just happened to take place then.  Really, the only main hope left in the family is Dilsey, as she presents strong, moral values unlike any other member of the Compson family. It is a bit ironic, that a black servant in the heart of the deep south is the only merit left to this prestigious white family.

Jason

I think it is safe to say that when it comes to quality of character, Jason himself is a pretty terrible one overall. As a child and now as an adult, Jason constantly found pleasure in annoying and bullying others, all with a bloated sense of superiority to those around him. An example comes in the way of Jason blaming Caddy for him not getting the bank position that Herbert Head had promised him, despite Caddy being the reason he was even recommended to begin with. And Benjy's castration and eventual send-off to the insane asylum is primarily due to Jason's actions. But, oddly enough, both Benjy and Jason do share a common character trait: they are only able to see actions in terms of them effecting them each personally. None has any concern for others, but in Benjy's case, it is a little more understandable as he does have a disability. And finally, Jason is the only child that received his mother's love, despite being the only one that never wanted it nor reciprocated it. We truly see his evil outlined in the text more so than any other character.

Quentin

The first few paragraphs of this chapter reveal a lot about Quentin and who he really is as a character. The opening scene in which he reminisces on falsely confessing to incest and how he is called gay but doesn't really mind says a lot about him as a character. It almost seems as though Quentin is the one to be tasked with finding out why the family is failing and must do something about it, as this will be his importance to the family. And the person who he is most concerned with is Caddy, as he finds hope and inspiration in her, an area where both his mother and father failed to do to him. And at this point, his thoughts reside within the confines of his college year.

Benjy's Character

Benjy at the beginning of the beginning of The Sound and The Fury is thirty-three years old, and his neighbor remarks it is almost like he has been three for thirty years because of his disability. Benjy is also unable to speak, and when he becomes upset, he screams or just makes random noise. Benjy constantly shifts time periods as he is reminiscent of the past and longs for the days of his childhood. Because of these constant time shifts, time is irrelevant to Benjy therefore making the present all-important. Caddy and trees and flowers are what are on his mind the most, and the things that always remain consistent with him are his fascination with fire and love of Caddy. Benjy himself is also a fan of order, as it is difficult for him to deal without it because of his disability. Benjy himself, though seemingly simple, is actually a very complex character.

Questions about Book

I do have to ask a few questions about that book, though, including:

• Why did William Faulkner choose to write out of order?
• What does the title, The Sound and The Fury, actually mean?
• Is the title possibly an allusion to something?
• Why are there two Quentin's?
• Will characters carry over from part to part in the book?

Introduction

Though I have not read much yet, my first impressions on this book are primarily positive. I have enjoyed the narrative thus far, despite the mixed time periods, and am eager to start reading more.