I think Faulkner begins the novel with such a disorienting chapter to make the reader think. I believe that Faulkner purposely places Benji's chapter first. Since the reader has to distinguish many time jumps it is confusing and only gives us pieces of the Compson family story. We see only what Benji gives us and that leads us to more questions which helps foreshadow the rest of the story. Also, Benji is an unbiased perspective. He only has the capability to look at a situation but he cannot analyze a situation which leaves each event as unbiased as a story can get. We can really get a look at the family which leads back to the reader asking more questions and the idea of suspense.
In the Compson family, I believe Benjy plays the role of stability. In the first chapter we see different time periods in Benjy's life and constantly people are leaving or bad things are happening. The family is very dramatic and unsure of themselves it seems like. They constantly do selfish things and Benjy watches from afar. I think Benjy's characteristics bring out the true colors of the Compson family. He is a silent observer so the actions of his daily or reactions to Benjy are natural and show their true colors. I think Benjy's constant need for consistency shows that the Compson family is very unstable. Things are constantly changing, people dying, people leaving, selfish motives, etc,. Benjy remembers the past when Caddy was there for him and he wasn't alone and compares it to now where he basically has no one but an african to watch over him. I think Benjy represents the truth in this novel and he represents reality. His character is able to sense the decline of his family and it shows by his nostalgic return to fonder moments and then the present at which everyone is disappearing or having problems. I think this is saying that the South is filled with a lot of drama and sometimes the people there lose sight of what is really important. Faulkner shows that those who are underestimated may just have reality in tact while others have lost the importance of relationships despite them being able to communicate. Faulkner uses Benjy as a strong symbol of stability and truth in The Sound and Fury.
It's a cool perspective to think about Benjy as stability and not just focus on the fact that he is innocent because of his mental state. Good post :)
ReplyDeleteI like the perspective that Benjy is a point of consistency in the book, however I cannot see how Benjy can be the face of truth in the novel if that is not something he is capable of discerning. I think you are right about the consistency, but Dilsey seems more to fit the face of truth in the novel.
ReplyDeleteI like how you said that Benjy represents stability in the novel. He and his very set routine show the little order that Faulkner portrays in the story. He has his set day and he does the same thing everyday. Benjy is the one thing that really stays the same throughout the story.
ReplyDeleteI really like the way that you reveal the honesty in Benjy's chapter. Due to his condition, his reactions really tell a story, and reveal the true colors of the family dynamic. This was a very insightful blog, and I love the analysis! Thank you and nice blog!
ReplyDeleteSarah, I agree that Benjy represents stability. The way his family treats him is really messed up; their treatment of Benjy reveals how corrupt this family is. Benjy is truly innocent.
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