The Sound and the Fury

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What are the most pertinent facts for a reader to know about American author William Faulkner and his work? If you are unsure, what general ideas do you have about this author?

Teaching Suggestion: You might use this question to ascertain how much students already know about Faulkner. The resources listed below may help to fill in any gaps in their knowledge, while students could revise their initial answers based on what they have learn from them or similar resources. To extend this conversation, consider asking students to compare which Faulkner facts they found most important and share their reasoning for their choices.

• This 4-minute video from Biography offers a brief overview of Faulkner’s life.
• This article explores Faulkner’s reputation and literary legacy.
• This speech, which Faulkner gave upon his acceptance of the 1949 Nobel Prize, outlines his motivations as a writer.

2. What is literary Modernism? How many Modernist techniques can you label and define?

Teaching Suggestion: If your students know relatively little about Modernist techniques, they may find The Sound and the Fury unapproachable and frustrating.