Critical Analysis Of Quentin's Monologue - Section Ii Of Sound & Fury By William Falukner

Altaf Ahmed Sheikh

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M.A (Hons.) English Literature

The Sound & The Fury By William Faulkner This novel has been put into four sections by the writer himself on artistic reasons without observing chronology of either sections or events within sections. However, three sections are primarily monologues while the fourth section is third person narrative or writers own commentary. The section titles, dates and narrator are as follows; i. ii. iii. iv.

Benjamin’s Monologue – 7th April; 1928 Quentin’s Monologue – 2nd June; 1910 Jason’s Monologue – 6th April; 1928 Writer’s Commentary – 8th April; 1928

Section II – Quentin’s Monologue 2nd June; 1910 Foreword • Chronologically it should be the first section of this novel since it is recorded at the earliest of all other sections in the novel. • It is the same day when Quentin, the elder child in family, commits suicide, just two months subsequent to caddy’s marriage on 25th April; 1910. Summary • Quentin woke up frustrated, saw time in the watch, an inherited gift from his father who had received from his grandfather. • He remembered caddy, her marriage and began recollecting his past. He had told his father that he had incest with caddy. • He talked about Shreve & Spoade; his two classmates. Spoade was rogue and often pursuing women while Shreve was lazy & sluggish. • He recalled what his father had said about women; in south it was embarrassing for a man if he had no relationship with a woman. And women did not bother about their virginity. • He revealed his intention of doing something with caddy and shocking the whole world. • He remembered admitting before his father that he is responsible for getting caddy pregnant, and not the Dalton Ames. But, his father did not believe him. • He wrote two letters, one to Shreve, and other to his father informing them of his intention to commit suicide. • He broke his watch when he was frustrated with time tickling. • He then remembers Benjy as having an instinct to smell an approaching misfortune, like he had sensed an omen before seeing his grandmother’s death. • He went out, purchased two iron bricks weighing twelve pounds approx. for binding with his body before jumping into the river. Then he rode on a streetcar to riverside. • He saw his friend Gerald practicing rowing at the river where he had come.

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Altaf Ahmed Sheikh • • • •

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M.A (Hons.) English Literature

He recalled Caddy’s boyfriend Herbert who had gifted Caddy a car and had also promised Jason a job in his bank. He thought about his entry into Howard which was on the money produced after selling Benjy’s share in family pasture. He had conversation with three boys at river about a trout fish which nobody could catch in last twenty five years. From there he went into the bakery shop where a little girl entered the shop behind him. He gave her some bread and left bakery. The Italian little girl followed after him. He was astonished, asked her the name and details but she did not answer him. Confused, he looked around for some help but failing so tried to run & escape from girl. But she pursued him everywhere. Julio, little girl’s brother, while seeing him with his sister, charged him of kidnapping the girl. He was arrested and brought to court where he was penalized six & one dollars. He recalled his quarrel with Dalton Ames whom he asked to leave this city and threatened to kill him if found around again. Dalton sensed the situation and played on him emotionally by firing two shots in the water and then handing over the pistol to Quentin asking him to shoot if he dared. Later on he attended a picnic with all three friends Gerald, Shreve & Spoade, who ridiculed him for kidnapping a little girl. There he fought with Gerald & was injured. Lastly, he returned to his room, brushed his hair & teeth, picked up his hat & left for river where he had planned to jump off and commit suicide.

Critical Analysis • • •

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At the offset of this section, Quentin is presupposed to have intention of committing suicide. Although, description of suicide is not given in the novel, yet one can perceive that the suicide must have taken place as this character is missing in rest of the sections. The principal reasons for his suicide were his incestuous desires towards caddy and then caddy’s disgrace which kept him haunting till the last moment. His craving for parental affection and failing to receive due love from either his mother or father was also deriving him towards negative view about life. At a stage he wished if he had any mother so he could call her “Mother, Mother”. Quentin had not committed incest with his sister, but he admits this to his father only to defend caddy’s honour before the family. Quentin tries to bring peace to his soul by compensating Caddy’s honour by taking revenge from Dalton Ames and Herbert. Both dominated his prowess when it came to fighting and he ended up in adding more miseries to his already miserable life. Quentin’s father had very derogatory views about women. He believed that concept of virginity was men made and women hardly cared about it in their lives. Quentin’s and Benjy’s perspective of life had been juxtaposed here. Benjy being the innocent and mentally retarded person had a brighter view of life and often found peace in things which he adored. However, Quentin, being the eldest child and [email protected] http://www.altaftheredmax.spaces.live.com

Altaf Ahmed Sheikh

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3

M.A (Hons.) English Literature

student of Howard, had a pessimistic attitude towards life and could not find peace in anything. Such contrast has been indicated quite vividly. This whole section is incoherent, very loosely stringed or not tied at all. Even many dialogues do not have proper punctuation.

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