On The Tragic Image Of Quentin Compson In The Sound And The Fury

William Faulkner,one of the greatest modern writers of the 20th century in America, is universally recognized as a representative of"Southern Literature". Faulkner not only probes into the root of the destruction of Southern America, but also explores the spiritual crisis of the Southerners in particular and modern man in general. His experiments with multiple narrators, the fragmentation of time, etc. have generated much critical response.The present thesis is a discussion of one of the major characters in The Sound and the Fury, Quentin Compson. The tragic protagonist is the most complex character in the Compson family. He is intelligent enough to understand what the family has been in the past, and too sensitive to cope with what it has become in the present. He is physically and mentally weak so much so that he even does not have the mental strength to survive. And he commits suicide at last. This thesis is intended to have a comprehensive study of the factors contributing to Quentin's tragic fate and Faulkner's artistic features in presenting this tragic character.The thesis is divided into five chapters. Chapter One is a survey of Faulkner scholarship at home and abroad as well as a brief introduction to The Sound and the Fury. Chapters Two and Three deal with the factors contributing to Quentin's tragedy. His indulgence in the old Southern tradition, his dysfunctional family and his pathological psychology all lead to his doom. Quentin values traditions and his reverence and longing for the past create in him a detestation in modern society which eventually leads to his destruction. His mother is incapable of showing her children any maternal affection. His father is heavily addicted to drinking. Although he makes occasional efforts to play the role of a father to his children, he is steadily addicted to drinking and the alcoholism of Mr. Compson is an important reason for the decline of the Compson family. Quentin's brother Jason is a most vicious and self-centered character that contributes to the collapse of the Compson family and his brother'suicide as well. Quentin's affection for his sister Caddy is stronger and more complicated than the normal emotional tie between brother and sister. The intensity of Quentin's reaction to his sister's loss of virginity is undoubtedly the last straw upon him.