The Sound and the Fury: Key Quotes

Questions and Answers

What major theme is highlighted throughout Quentin's narration?

Time

What does Quentin mean when he says, 'I broke my watch'?

He lost it.

He fixed it.

It is still running. (correct)

He bought a new one.

What does Quentin learn to do with time?

Tell almost to the minute.

What do Quentin's father's words contribute to?

Quentin's inner conflicts and thoughts about sin, sexuality, and masculinity. Signup and view all the answers

What does the quote 'Victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools' suggest?

Southern delusion. Signup and view all the answers

What does Quentin's father give him?

The mausoleum of all hope and desire. Signup and view all the answers

How does Quentin feel about being a virgin according to his father's views?

He feels ashamed. Signup and view all the answers

What is described as 'sadder than was'?

Again. Signup and view all the answers

What does Senior Jason Compson say about time?

That time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life. Signup and view all the answers

What dictates Quentin's life according to his feelings about Caddy?

A plethora of emotion from guilt to jealousy. Signup and view all the answers

What does Quentin say about committing incest?

I said I have committed incest, Father. Signup and view all the answers

What did St. Francis say about death?

Little sister death that never had a sister. Signup and view all the answers

How does Quentin view women's honor?

Women only use other people's codes of honor. Signup and view all the answers

What does Quentin believe about women's nature?

Women have an affinity for evil. Signup and view all the answers

What does Quentin say he must do regarding sins?

I must pay for your sins as well as mine. Signup and view all the answers

What is Quentin's perception of southern girls?

A little dirty child. Signup and view all the answers

How must one conduct themselves in the dark woods according to Quentin?

Why must you do like ****** women do in the pasture the ditches the dark woods hot hidden furious in the dark woods. Signup and view all the answers

How does Herbert's expulsion for cheating affect Quentin's views on him?

Not that blackguard Caddy. Signup and view all the answers

What does Quentin imagine about being with Caddy in hell?

Only you and me amid the pointing and the horror walled by the clean flame. Signup and view all the answers

How does Quentin describe the eyes he sees in statues?

They looked like the eyes in the statues blank and unseeing and serene. Signup and view all the answers

What is revealed about Caddy's identity?

She was never a queen or a fairy, always a king or a giant or a general. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mrs. Compson's view on children reflect?

That streak of Compson selfishness and false pride. Signup and view all the answers

What lasting impressions does Quentin have about the word 'Mother'?

Supreme favoritism towards Jason and immense selfishness. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mrs. Compson say about choosing among her children?

Let me have Jason and you keep the others they're not my flesh and blood. Signup and view all the answers

What internal pressures does Quentin feel after migrating?

To bring success to a dying Southern dynasty. Signup and view all the answers

What is Deacon's initial attire symbolic of?

Uncle Tom's Cabin style clothing. Signup and view all the answers

What does Quentin realize about racial views?

That a ****** is not a person so much a form of behaviour; a sort of obverse reflection of the white people he lives among. Signup and view all the answers

What does Quentin struggle to control during an emotional moment?

I tried to stop the laughter, but I couldn't. Signup and view all the answers

How is Quentin perceived by others when he feels emasculated?

He looked like he was made out of bronze. Signup and view all the answers

What does Quentin express during his suicide pact regarding his knife?

It's my knife I dropped it. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jason feel uncomfortable about?

Jason couldn't bear the smell of gasoline. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theme of Time

Time intricately weaves through Quentin’s narrative, reflecting his convoluted thoughts on mortality and existence.
Quentin struggles with the concept of "unstoppable time," symbolized by his broken watch, illustrating a desire to escape the relentless passage of time.

Obsession with Time

His ability to predict time down to the minute indicates a deep preoccupation with the fleeting nature of existence and the mortal implications of time.

Father-Son Dynamics

Quentin's inner turmoil stems from his father’s views on sin, masculinity, and sexuality, which haunt his thoughts and decisions.

Southern Ideals and Honor

Southern notions of victory are critiqued as illusions, highlighting a struggle for authentic triumph amid philosophical despair.
The concept of virginity, particularly as it pertains to gender, is explored, revealing societal pressures and hypocrisy surrounding sexual purity.

Guilt and Jealousy

Quentin's conflicted emotions surrounding his sister, Caddy, are rooted in guilt over her perceived fall from grace and jealousy regarding her sexual autonomy.

Incest and Family Dynamics

Quentin grapples with feelings of guilt, claiming incest in a figurative context, which portrays deep familial and personal conflict.

Women's Perception in Society

Women are depicted as reliant on codes of honor established by men, attempting to understand their societal roles through external standards rather than personal autonomy.
Perceived affinity for evil reflects Quentin's internalization of misogyny and fear of feminine sexuality.

Sin and Responsibility

A strong sense of inherited responsibility for sin permeates Quentin’s psychology, creating a burden he believes he must bear for both himself and his family.

Racial Perspectives

The portrayal of Deacon highlights a contrasting vision of the black man's role, challenging stereotypes and presenting a pathway to individual agency.
Quentin's realization about racial views speaks to a broader commentary on identity shaped by societal behaviors rather than inherent qualities.

Emotional Disconnection

Quentin's inability to control laughter at inappropriate moments reveals a disconnect from reality and a chaotic emotional state.
His feelings of emasculation manifest in his interactions, feeling powerless in the face of social expectations and personal crises.

Emasculation Themes

The imagery of Quentin being caught and restrained indicates a profound sense of vulnerability and loss of agency in his life.

Maternal Relationships

Quentin's relationship with his mother is marked by perceived favoritism towards Jason, illustrating themes of neglect and selfishness.

Failure of Family Legacy

Quentin's migration from the South represents a struggle with maintaining family honor and confronting societal changes in the North, revealing internal conflict over a fading legacy.

Suicide and Despair

Quentin's spoilers of suicide contrast with his feelings of futility, as he debates the reality of his emotions versus his actions, culminating in self-destructive paths.

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Description

Explore key themes and quotes from Chapter 2 of 'The Sound and the Fury.' This quiz focuses on Quentin's complex relationship with time and the pivotal moments in his life that influence his actions. Test your knowledge of essential quotes and their significance in the narrative.

The Sound and the Fury: Key Quotes - Chapter 2