STYLE

What initially attracted me to William Faulkner’s The Sound and The Fury was neither the excessive plot line, nor the numerous prestigious awards it received, but rather the style the novel was written in. Growing somewhat tiresome of the typical “first person” narrative, I aspired to explore a novel with a different style of writing. Faulkner’s The Sound and The Fury satisfied my request in more way than one.

The Sound and The Fury employs a number of different narrative styles. It is separated into four different sections, each written in a style unique to the narrator.Faulkner exhibits the considerable versatility of his writing, adjusting the typical first person narrative style by adapting the sentence structure, punctuation, typography and tone to each character’s personality and way of thinking. The novel's appreciation has mainly been due to the technique of its construction, Faulkner's ability to recreate the thought patterns of the human mind. It was essential to the development of the stream-of-consciousness narrative technique that Faulkner exercised in the first three sections.

In the first section, Benjy expressed his views and understanding mainly through memories and smell. Benjamin Compson is autistic, but more often referred to as retarded throughout the text. He appears unable interpret what is going on and doesn't understand the connection between cause and effect, mixing memories with present time. But, through short sentences, and sentence fragments concerning chiefly smells and feelings, Benjy manages to express key plot incidents. Through his memories, which occur through the section without any indication, he foreshadows many conflicts. He recalls Caddy muddy drawers when she climbs the pear tree which foretells the future disgrace of the Compson name due to Caddy’s promiscuity that will never wash away. Although Benjy appears to be an unreliable narrator, as each section unfolds the truth in his actions and emotions are uncovered.

Quentin’s section is written in a very diverse form, strongly embodying the stream-of-consciousness technique. Faulkner style of writing in the section plays upon Quentin’s severe depression, and obsessive compulsiveness. The following passage presents the thoughts of Quentin as he recalls bits and pieces of statements made by his mother:

“what have I done to have been given children like these Benjamin was punishment enough and now for her to have no more regard for me her own mother I've suffered for her dreamed and planned and sacrificed I went down into the valley yet never since she opened her eyes has she given me one unselfish thought at times I look at her I wonder if she can be my child”

In contrast, based on Quentin’s mood, the sentence style changes. Instead of long run-on sentences, Faulkner uses sentence fragments, wholly displaying Quentin’s internal struggle, and inability to cope with the his family’s decay.

The third section, narrated by Jason Compson, is written much clearer and is easier to understand. Through Jason’s section is simplistic, it displays his sadistic tendencies and conniving personality. His passage is written in a Southern, bitter tone. From his narration, the reader is able to uncover past conflicts, which previously might have been unclear and gains a deeper insight to Mr. Compson’s death, and Mrs. Compson’s insecurity.

The final section is no longer written in the stream-of-consciousness technique, presented in an omniscient, third-person point of view. It is said to exemplify Faulkner’s own opinion concerning the Southern transition during the post-Civil War era, through the actions and emotions of Disley, the Compson’s black servant.

In each section new angles emerge, and more details and questions arise. Although initially difficult to understand, the stream-of-consciousness technique is highly effective. It allows the reader to associate the style with each character’s individual personality. The four different perspectives also allow the plot to unfold throughout gradually the novel. Faulker’s The Sound and The Fury, exemplifies the effectiveness of different writing techniques.