List of Characters

The Sound and the Fury, written by William Faulkner, features several key characters whose complex dynamics drive the narrative. The central characters include:

Role Identification

Benjy Compson

Benjy Compson serves as one of the primary protagonists in the novel. His unique perspective, as someone with an intellectual disability, offers a distinct lens through which the story unfolds.

Quentin Compson

Quentin Compson is another central protagonist whose internal struggles and complex relationships contribute significantly to the novel's themes.

Jason Compson

Jason Compson, the third Compson sibling, plays a pivotal role in the narrative, showcasing the family's disintegration and his own internal conflicts.

Dilsey

Dilsey is a crucial supporting character whose unwavering strength and resilience provide a contrasting perspective to the Compson family's turmoil.

Caddy Compson

Caddy Compson, the siblings' sister, exerts a profound influence on the family dynamics, despite not being a central, active character.

Mrs. Caroline Compson

Mrs. Caroline Compson, the mother of the Compson siblings, also plays a supporting role, contributing to the family's dysfunction and the overall narrative.

Character Descriptions

Benjy Compson

Benjy, originally named Maury, is intellectually disabled and lacks the ability to communicate effectively. He experiences the world through sensory perceptions and memories, often reliving past traumas and pivotal moments in his life.

Quentin Compson

Quentin is a highly intelligent and introspective character plagued by inner turmoil and a profound sense of responsibility towards his family, particularly his sister, Caddy. His internal struggles and complex emotions drive much of the novel's narrative.

Jason Compson

Jason is a bitter and resentful character, harboring deep-seated animosity towards his family members. His cynicism and callous nature contribute to the dysfunctional dynamics within the Compson household.

Dilsey

Dilsey embodies resilience, strength, and an unwavering moral compass. As a black woman in the segregated South, she provides stability and guidance within the Compson family, offering a stark contrast to their internal chaos.

Caddy Compson

Caddy, though not a central, active character, is pivotal to the story. Her rebellious nature and the impact of her choices reverberate throughout the narrative, influencing each of her siblings in different ways.

Mrs. Caroline Compson

Mrs. Caroline Compson is depicted as a self-absorbed, neurotic woman whose preoccupation with appearances and social standing contributes to the family's decline. Her neglectful parenting and detachment further exacerbate the Compson siblings' struggles.

Character Traits

Benjy Compson

• Innocent
• Perceptive
• Vulnerable
• Emotional
• Uncommunicative

Quentin Compson

• Intellectual
• Tormented
• Idealistic
• Obsessive
• Self-destructive

Jason Compson

• Bitter
• Manipulative
• Resentful
• Cynical
• Self-centered

Dilsey

• Strong-willed
• Compassionate
• Stoic
• Devoted
• Morally upright

Caddy Compson

• Rebellious
• Charismatic
• Independent
• Empathetic
• Complex

Mrs. Caroline Compson

• Self-absorbed
• Neurotic
• Superficial
• Neglectful
• Socially conscious

Character Background

Benjy Compson

Born mentally disabled, Benjy experiences life through a series of sensory impressions and fragmented memories. His inability to articulate his thoughts and emotions isolates him from the world around him, contributing to his profound vulnerability.

Quentin Compson

Quentin comes from a once-prominent Southern family, burdened by a strict moral code and a deep sense of duty towards his family. His internal conflict stems from his complex relationships, particularly with his beloved sister, Caddy, and his father's misdeeds.

Jason Compson

Jason grows up in the shadow of his family's decline, fostering a deep-seated resentment towards his siblings and a cynical worldview. His bitterness and manipulative nature are rooted in a history of familial dysfunction and personal disappointments.

Dilsey

As an African American woman in the racially segregated South, Dilsey navigates the complexities of her social position while providing steadfast support to the Compson family. Her unwavering strength and resilience stem from a lifetime of endurance and moral integrity.

Caddy Compson

Caddy rebels against societal norms and familial expectations, embodying a spirit of independence and defiance. Her choices and their consequences significantly impact the Compson family, shaping the trajectory of each sibling's life.

Mrs. Caroline Compson

Mrs. Compson's superficial concerns and neglectful parenting contribute to the family's disintegration. Her fixation on social status and her inability to connect with her children underscore the dysfunctional environment in which the Compson siblings are raised.

Character Arcs

Benjy Compson

Benjy's character arc revolves around his struggle to navigate a world that is largely incomprehensible to him. His journey is marked by poignant recollections and sensory experiences, offering a unique perspective on the Compson family's history and dynamics.

Quentin Compson

Quentin's character arc is defined by a profound internal struggle, culminating in a tragic denouement. His unwavering sense of duty and his inability to reconcile his idealistic worldview with the harsh realities of his family's decline drive his tragic trajectory.

Jason Compson

Jason's character arc is marked by his increasingly embittered and manipulative nature, fueled by a deep-seated resentment towards his family. His descent into callousness and moral bankruptcy underscores the corrosive impact of the Compson family's dysfunction.

Dilsey

Dilsey's character arc reflects her unwavering strength and moral fortitude in the face of adversity. Her resilience and steadfastness provide a stabilizing force amidst the Compson family's turmoil, embodying a sense of hope and moral integrity.

Caddy Compson

Caddy's character arc is characterized by her rebellion against societal norms and familial expectations. Her choices reverberate throughout the narrative, shaping the destinies of her siblings and illuminating the complexities of familial bonds and personal agency.

Mrs. Caroline Compson

Mrs. Compson's character arc reveals her increasing detachment and self-absorption, contributing to the family's unraveling. Her inability to connect with her children and her fixation on appearances underscore the deleterious effects of her neglectful parenting.

Relationships

Benjy and Caddy

Benjy's profound attachment to his sister, Caddy, serves as a central relationship in the novel. His unwavering devotion to Caddy and his inability to comprehend her evolving circumstances underscore the enduring impact of sibling bonds.

Quentin and Caddy

Quentin's complex and deeply emotional relationship with Caddy shapes his worldview and his tragic trajectory. His obsessive devotion to Caddy and his inability to reconcile her choices with his sense of duty drive much of his internal conflict.

Jason and Dilsey

Jason's contentious relationship with Dilsey highlights the stark contrast between his callous nature and her unwavering moral integrity. His exploitative treatment of Dilsey underscores the pervasive dysfunction within the Compson family.

Caddy and Mrs. Caroline Compson

Caddy's fraught relationship with her mother, Mrs. Compson, underscores the generational divide and the impact of maternal neglect. Mrs. Compson's inability to understand Caddy's autonomy and her fixation on appearances strains their relationship.

The intricate web of relationships and the characters' internal struggles form the heart of William Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury," offering a profound exploration of familial bonds, societal expectations, and the human condition.