family and the misfortune visited upon them by forces originating both.
inside the folds of the family and outside the sphere of their influence.
The members of this tragic family, named the Compsons, undergo trials and.
tribulations only to be confronted with the futility of their existence. The.
characters making up this tale are Mr. Compson, a cynical alcoholic who.
believes that life is destined for doom so any effort put forth in living is.
futile, Mrs. Compson, a cold, detached, uncaring mother who has retreated.
from life, their three sons, one daughter, and the family's black maid,.
Dilsey (Brooks 44).
The three Compson sons living in this bleak, depressed household are the.
idealistic Quentin, the fast-paced, miserly Jason, and the retarded "baby".
of the family Benjy (Brooks 44). The daughter, Candace, forced into the role.
of mother by her own uncaring maternal parent, seeks escape and acceptance.
through sexual promiscuity. In this chaotic disorder, the family's maid,.
Dilsey, is the one character possessing the strength and faith to maintain.
order amid chaos - Dilsey is the one survivor of this futile, meaningless.
existence. In Dilsey's strength of character and religious belief, Faulkner.
creates a vivid contrast that accentuates the weaknesses of the Compson.
household (Brooks 44).
Time is a major and recurring theme throughout this novel, shown most.
vividly through the characters of Mr. Compson and his son Quentin. Mr.
Compson feels that his father failed him, therefore his failure is destined.
to be projected onto his children. The view that Mr. Compson holds of the.
world is bitter and depressed, believing that all events are predestined and.
therefore out of his or anyone else's control. In his eyes, mankind is just.
doing time upon this earth, living an existence fated to have no meaning.
(Irwin 84). This is evident as he presents his son, Quentin, with his.
grandfather's watch. Upon giving the watch to Quentin, Mr.
