Final Response

Overall, I was a little disappointed with the end of the book. There were no unexpected twists and turns; it just ended with the unfortunate idea that change is not to come for the Compsons. As we discussed in the seminar, Jason represents the Old South, while Quentin and Caddy represent the New South. Ultimately, Quentin commits suicide and Caddy runs away, taking along with them any hope for what the South could become. This leaves Jason and Mother with their traditional, prejudiced views, to prevail. To anyone hoping for a good triumphs over evil story, The Sound and the Fury is not your book. Caddy and Quentin, and Miss Quentin, too, show the redeeming future of the South, but ultimately the Old South way remains throughout the novel.

Comments

  1. UnknownApril 4, 2017 at 5:57 PM

    I agree that the story ends rather straightforward. I think it reflects the dull end of the south as well as the Compsons. There really is nothing for them and this reminds me of the Hollow-men poem, how the universe is said to end with a whimper, like Benjy's sounds. The forces of good here aren't really all that physical, it seems like good is embodied in the theme of progress and evil is within the charcer's prejudices.

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  2. UnknownApril 4, 2017 at 8:03 PM

    I thought it was interesting how the story ends straightforward. I think it is a fitting end to the story, sort of anticlimactic and sad. It really encompasses the way that the story flows and abrublty changes, ad in this case abruptly ends, like the rest of the book. I thought what was said about the forces of good and evil were interesting, and how while they weren't completely apparent, it was still present. I also liked the representation of Jason as the old south and old ideals, and thought that was an accurate representation of his character.

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  3. UnknownApril 6, 2017 at 6:20 AM

    I agree with the idea that the ending of the book was disappointing. But I feel like we could have seen it coming with all the other events in the book. We could foreshadow that the Compson's would never change due to the lack of leadership and guidance in the family.

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  4. UnknownApril 6, 2017 at 6:12 PM

    The ending of the book was not intended to have a twist ending, or anything of that likeness. The story has already been told, and the reader is responsible for uncovering the past. As opposed to flipping the page of a fictional novel in wonder of what could possibly occur next, it would be more appropriate to compare the Sound and the Fury to a history textbook. The ending has already been revealed; it is the present, and in this case 1928. The ending was sedate, compared to the rest of the novel, but most conclusions are. I agree with your statement that the Compson family does not change, and never will change; this represents the consistency of the old South. However, they do lose their last hope, and the new generation(Miss Quentin) does break free form the old South(Jason).

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  5. BellaApril 10, 2017 at 7:31 PM

    I agree that the ending of the book was somewhat anticlimactic, however I do believe that Dilsey was a strong narrator for the ending. She was the only character who saw everything happen and everyone as they truly are, and I think it makes a strong ending to have her conclude the story.

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