What Are Faulkner's Literary Techniques In The Sound And The Fury
Faulkner’s masterful technique creates a first person look into the unraveling mind of a time obsessed boy. In The Sound and The Fury, by William Faulkner, Quentin Compson slings to the past and tries desperately to stay afloat. As the old order crumbles and sinks around him, Quentin has to make a choice whether to sink or to float. Like Quentin, Faulkner saw how society was changing, which is where he probably got the idea for the character. Faulkner took inspiration from his experiences growing up in a changing southern United States in the early 20th century. His writing styles were not conservative, and he often experimented with different literary devices. In each chapter, Faulkner writes in a different style, using a mix of literary elements
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These moments usually focus on either his sister Caddy, his father, or his mother. The most poignant moment of run-on that occurs is Quentin reflecting on his mother, and how she was quick to play the pity card. For over 2 pages, Quentin’s stream-of-consciousness is focused on phrases his mother was often saying such as “what [has she] done to have been given children like these,” “[her] thinking that Benjamin was punishment enough for any sins [she has] committed,” and “[she] see now that [she] must pay for [Quentin’s] sins as well as [hers]” (Faulkner 102-103). Phrases like these not only show how Mrs. Compson thought, but also how she constantly treated her children. She, in a way, blames Quentin for the sins she has to pay because she is paying for his sins from the past as well as her own. This leads to Quentin’s downfall. Moments where he focuses on Caddy deeply reflect his most troubled feelings about how he believes things should be: how they had been in the old southern order. Caddy’s pregnancy, from sleeping with a man she wasn’t married
These moments usually focus on either his sister Caddy, his father, or his mother. The most poignant moment of run-on that occurs is Quentin reflecting on his mother, and how she was quick to play the pity card. For over 2 pages, Quentin’s stream-of-consciousness is focused on phrases his mother was often saying such as “what [has she] done to have been given children like these,” “[her] thinking that Benjamin was punishment enough for any sins [she has] committed,” and “[she] see now that [she] must pay for [Quentin’s] sins as well as [hers]” (Faulkner 102-103). Phrases like these not only show how Mrs. Compson thought, but also how she constantly treated her children. She, in a way, blames Quentin for the sins she has to pay because she is paying for his sins from the past as well as her own. This leads to Quentin’s downfall. Moments where he focuses on Caddy deeply reflect his most troubled feelings about how he believes things should be: how they had been in the old southern order. Caddy’s pregnancy, from sleeping with a man she wasn’t married