Sunday, April 13, 2014

Dilsey's Chapter

Wow, Faulkner sure does love some confusion... ending the last chapter nearly one day after the first. (Though of coarse not told in chronological order). As much as I hated being confused throughout most of the book, I actually enjoyed some of the confusion because it kept me engaged with the overall story. While reading each story I would always have numerous questions swirling around in my head that I wanted to ask Faulkner. Too bad he passed away nearly 35 years before I was born, but that's besides the point! Getting back to business, I did enjoy Dilsey's chapter, and the clarity within the writing. Although Faulkner chose to make the beginning of the book quite confusing, I enjoyed how he chose to end the last chapter with more clarity than others. 
Clarity is shown in this last chapter as two things are suggested for the Compson family's future. The first is that although the story ends with the completion of the families downfall, the simple fact that it takes place on Easter Sunday signifies hope, and secondly redemption. Faulkner leaves us with the idea that though the family has nearly hit rock bottom, their future remains bright. 
Overall, I think Faulkner put the chapters in this order to show us as the reader that people have different interpretations of the same events. One of the largest details I realized when reading The Sound and The Fury was that personality and mental state had the largest role in telling sequential events. If Jason wasn't as vulgar, his interpretations of others would've been drastically altered. Where as also Benjy's mental state had an enormous role toward his interpretation of events. Personally, I believe Faulkner's tale told 4 times signifies that writing is always told in a bias. Though Faulkner told many stories about the Old South vs. New South etc. the main idea throughout the story is the unique storytelling which is emphasized throughout the entire book. 

2 comments:

  1. Hi Abby! I love your honest voice throughout your posts first off! I'm on your side when you say it was a confusing yet enjoyable book. But you still explain it very well from what I can see. I agree with your statement about the Compson family nearly hitting rock bottom but still having a hopefully bright future. The story overall shows the Old South vs the New South and the unique storytelling to emphasize that idea throughout the book, I agree!

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  2. Abby, I agree, I as well liked this chapter because it seemed like something climatic was actually happening (with the fight and such). I think much of my confusion in the other chapters was due to my expectation for something to actually progress the plot, which never really happened. I also liked how you took a look at the significance of the last chapter being on a sunday, symbolizing redemption, after the downfall (of the Compsons). Cute blog!

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