Response to JSTOR Article for The Sound and the Fury

For my blog this week, I chose the JSTOR article titled "The Words of The Sound and the Fury". I found the article intriguing, because it delves much deeper into the symbolism present in the novel that we just scratched the surface on a few time in class. The author, Robert Martin, explains in his opening paragraph that although the story is quite simple, "The way in which [Faulker] arranges images, sequences, scenes and whole chapters...demands attention" (46). This statement accurately summarized the approach that readers need to take while tackling the unorthodox style of narration and chronology. Yes the novel's story isn't complex, but the underlying word choice and meaning is something more noteworthy. Martin explains in the article how there are key word or phrases found in each individual section, or throughout the book to signal a commonality. In the "Benjy" section of the novel, the word "fire" is used roughly forty-three times in the last twenty-four pages of the section. For Benjy, fire is concrete and eternal. Although Caddy brings Benjy a great deal of joy, she will eventually wither whereas fire will remain "basically static" (47). As a mentally unstable individual, Benjy needs to have a stable object to find solace in. The state of the fire plays a key role in Benjy's emotional state. Fire provides Benjy with a sense of comfort; on the contrast, the absence of fire instills unease. Martin provides evidence in the conversation between Luster and Benjy. The hushing of the fire brings Benjy discomfort. Caddy instills the connection between fire and comfort in Benjy by leading him to it. In Quentin's sections, the image of "Shadow" dominates his thoughts. The shadow that is behind him constantly fills his thoughts. This is evident when Quentin states, "I stepped into the sunlight, finding my shadow again" (50). Quentin's description of the shadow makes it seems as though it was a sentient being, always trying to outsmart him. Another prominent object in the Quentin section is Louis Hatcher's lantern. I never really places much thought into its significance, but Martin believes that it symbolizes "man's ability to shed light" which is quite an optimistic outlook (51).Overall, I think that this article is insightful in terms of bringing new meaning to objects and images present in the novel. Martin's writing is interesting and accessible allowing reader's to grasp the concepts that he provides.