THE BOOK FAIR

Review:

William Faulkner, one of the greatest American novelists, was born in New Albany, Mississippi, in 1897.  Faulkner’s novels and short stories reflect life in Yoknapatawpha, Mississippi, where the author lived.  Faulkner won both the Pulitzer Prize (twice) and the Nobel Prize in Literature.  William Faulkner published “A Fable”, “The Reivers”, “As I Lay Dying”, “Absalom, Absalom”, and “The Sound and the Fury”, among other works.  William Faulkner died in Byhalia, Mississippi, in 1962.

 

The “Sound and The Fury,” portrays the once wealthy and influential Compton family.  The novel, divided into four sections and narrated by different family members reveals their viewpoints.  The story revolves largely around Caddy, the wayward Compton daughter.  The story told over three decades hangs on tragedy, and the declining Compton family.

 

Benjy, the Compton’s mentally retarded son, narrates the first section of the novel.   Benjy’s confusion and lack of comprehension offers insight into family members and past events, particularly of his sister Caddy.  Benjy has no sense of time and is incapable of relating events, but the complexity of his emotions drives suspense.

The second section focuses on Quentin, the troubled son, intelligent, emotionally lonely and closest to Caddy.  Quentin dearly loves his sister and struggles to protect her.  So repulsed is Quentin by Herbert Head, the man Caddy chooses to marry and father her illegitimate baby, that he claims Caddy’s baby is his own.   Determined to give Quentin a chance in life, Mr. Compton, though a harsh man, an alcoholic and nihilist, insists Quentin attend Harvard.  Away from home, Quentin suffers severe depression and overwhelming guilt in his perceived failure to help his sister.   

Caddy, a seeker of independence, (her story told by her brothers), resented the life laid out for her.  After Herbert discovers Caddy’s lie, that the child is not his, he forces her out in disgrace.

The third section of the novel, narrated by Jason, Mrs. Compton’s favorite child, fills in gaps, elaborates and offers details of the family and events.  Jason, the light of Caroline’s life, becomes the supporter of the family.  Caroline believes Jason descended from her bloodline, and the other children, from the line of her husband.  Jason pays a price for Caddy’s disgrace as Herbert rescinds his promise of a job to him.  Jason becomes an embittered, insensitive man and blackmails his sister for control.

Dilsey, the black servant, who sincerely cares for Benjy narrates the fourth section of the novel.  Dilsey, indispensible to Mrs. Compson, raised all four children, but her efforts to save Benjy prove the most powerful.  Dilsey portrays the qualities Mrs. Compson lacks.  Dilsey, strong and kind, loves Benjy, takes him to church along with her, and genuinely cares for him throughout the years as opposed to Caroline who was self-absorbed, abusive and neurotic.

The dynamic characters weave a complex family tale of social mores, moral struggles, sadness, grievous misunderstandings, injustices, and irrevocable and overwhelming loss, in the early 1900’s South.

 

Faulkner’s eloquent use of time as a vehicle adds layers of mystery and depth.  The novel is Faulkner’s most fascinating, the most studied and presumed the best.