83 pages • 2 hours read
William FaulknerA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
326
Novel • Fiction
Mississippi • 1920s
1929
Adult
18+ years
800L
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner depicts the decline of the once-prominent Southern Compson family through the perspectives of three brothers—Benjy, Quentin, and Jason—and an omniscient narrator focusing on the housekeeper, Dilsey. The non-linear narrative reveals their struggles with change in the Old South, centering around their sister Caddy's defiance of traditional values. The novel includes racially-offensive and sexist language, as well as depictions of death by suicide, alcohol use disorder, incest, and mental disability.
Mysterious
Melancholic
Dark
Challenging
Bittersweet
188,340 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury is lauded for its innovative narrative structure and profound psychological depth. Many praise its rich, complex storytelling, though some find its fragmented, nonlinear approach challenging. The novel’s exploration of a Southern family’s downfall offers both poignancy and intense character study, making it a standout yet demanding read.
A reader who enjoys complex narratives, stream-of-consciousness style, and exploring themes of family, time, and the human condition would find The Sound and the Fury captivating. Fans of James Joyce's Ulysses or Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse will appreciate Faulkner's intricate prose and deep psychological insight.
188,340 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
326
Novel • Fiction
Mississippi • 1920s
1929
Adult
18+ years
800L
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