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The SOund and the Fury

 

            
            
            
             Benjy Compson is the son of Caroline and Jason Compson. He is the brother of Quentin, Caddy, and Jason. Benjy is mentally retarded, which makes some of his family threaten to send him to a mental hospital to live. The book gives no physical description of Benjy. Characters in the book describe Benjy as "deef [deaf] and dumb- (49) and an "old looney- (17). Benjy loves his sister Caddy and is sad when she marries and leaves him. Benjy narrates the first chapter of the novel, even though he cannot talk.
             Candace "Caddy- Compson is the only daughter of Jason and Caroline. She is rebellious, but kind. She takes care of Benjy while she lives at home. Caddy becomes pregnant at a young age and her husband leaves her; her parents have to raise the baby. Caddy's daughter is named Quentin, after Caddy's brother. Candace is bossy as a young girl; she orders her brothers around by saying things like: "You've got to eat if I say you have to- (26) and "mind me tonight- (39).
             Jason Compson has many different personalities in the novel. As a child he is constantly crying; his grandmother, Damuddy, spoils him. When he gets older, he becomes ruthless and unloving towards his family. Jason's mother Caroline loves him more than her other children. She tells him, "You are the only one of them that isn't a reproach to me- (181). As an adult, Jason has to take care of his mother and his niece Quentin. He is cruel to his niece and is always spying and threatening her. He tells her, "I'll make you sorry you ever drew breath- (188). His actions show that he has a psychotic nature. Jason stole money that was meant to be child support for Quentin. Jason even had the nerve to deceive and to lie to his own mother regarding the money, too. Quentin took the money back and Jason accused her of stealing from him. Jason is a liar, a thief, and a bully.
             Quentin Compson is an alcoholic, just like his father.
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            


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