Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

The Sound and the Fury was Faulkner's fourth novel, and was not immediately successful.
Published in 1929.

The Sound and the Fury is set in Jefferson, Mississippi in the first part of the 20th century. The novel centers on the Compson family and the three Compson brothers’ obsessions.
Their ancestors helped settle the area and subsequently defended it during the Civil War.
The Compson's are former Southern aristocrats who are struggling to deal with the dissolution of their family and its reputation.

Genre: Southern Gothic novel, Modernist novel
Pages: 366

Faulkner is one of the most celebrated writers in American literature and Southern literature. He was awarded:

Nobel Prize in Literature (1949)
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (1955 and 1963)
National Book Award (1951 and 1955)

The Sound and the Fury was written (and is set) in the postbellum American South, in the period after Reconstruction (1865–77). At this critical moment in American history, the South was in the process of redefining itself and its values in the absence of slavery. Certain Southern families (typically old landed families) refused to participate in this process. Instead, they turned inward; they clung to their traditions and values—to vague notions of honour, purity, and virginity.

Is anyone thinking about reading this one?

Quotes:

“I’m a lady. You might not believe that from my offspring, but I am.”

“If I’d just had a mother so I could say Mother Mother.”



Makes me wonder what is going on with Mother?

I'm reading this after the 20th.

Shaina, Glad to have you join in on this one!

I've read it twice, once in college, and again when a child was reading it in high school. I enjoyed it much better the second time - I think you need to have some life experience to appreciate the family dynamics going on here. Its a challenging book about some pretty unlikable people. Faulkner is an interesting author, for some perspective I might suggest reading Jame's Baldwin's essay regarding Faulkner and his public statements regarding going slow on integration. The race issues were never discussed when I was taking the Faulkner class a long (LONG!) time ago - but they add another dimension worthy of consideration.

Thank you Sarah for your perspective.
Some Classics I really think you need to have some age on you before you can truly enjoy them.

Nice. Thanks for the advice.

Started reading this today! Already pleased with the imagery. "We ran up the steps out of the bright cold, into the dark cold." Benjy on entering his house.

I am happy your joining in on this read Karen!


“I couldn’t feel the gate at all, but I could smell the bright cold.”

another Benjy quote I like that makes for great sensory image.

I’m still working on this one in January, determined to finish it! I’m nearing the end of part two. I find it interesting that in the first part, from Benjy’s point of view, he has no concept of time. His anxiety is palpable with it’s lack. Yet it’s followed by Quentin’s part, who is obsessed with ‘the clock’ and is also suffering from it. It has been a difficult read for me so far, as I’m not used to reading something so abstract. It’s hard to keep pulled into the story without direction. It’s like watching a movie of someone’s dream. The description and setting feel is enjoyable. There are some great quotes scattered throughout the meanderings. That helps keep the story grounded in reality somewhat.

No worries Karen.

Interesting thoughts on this. Thank you