In his novel “The Sound and the Fury,” William Faulkner uses a stream-of-consciousness narrative to explore the inner minds of his characters. The novel is heavily metaphorical and is full of symbolism. Faulkner’s use of language is dense and often difficult to understand. However, through a careful examination of the text, it is possible to unravel the meanings behind the author’s words.
The title of the book is derived from a line in Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth.” In the play, Macbeth sees a ghost and is terrified. He says, “Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped. Treacherous Cawdor! The time has been, that when the brains were out the man would die, and there an end. But now they say that the son of Duncan hath escaped. If it were so, the old prophecy would have been fulfilled, which says that Macbeth shall never be vanquished until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.” In other words, Macbeth is saying that it doesn’t matter how many people he kills, he will never be safe as long as the forest of Birnam Wood can march to his castle at Dunsinane Hill.
Faulkner uses this line to symbolize the futility of the Compson family’s efforts to save themselves. The family is doomed, no matter what they do. The title also suggests that the family’s problems are due to their own internal strife and that outside factors are not to blame.
The novel is narrated by three different characters: Benjy, Quentin, and Jason. Benjy is the youngest and he is unable to speak in coherent sentences. He communicates primarily through sound and fury, which signifies nothing. Quentin is the eldest son and he commits suicide during the course of the novel. Jason is the middle son and he is the most ruthless and selfish of the three.
The Compsons are a southern family that is falling apart. The father, Mr. Compson, is a drunkard and a failure. The mother, Mrs. Compson, is a bitter, resentful woman. The children are all dysfunctional and they are unable to cope with the realities of the world.
The novel is set in the early 20th century and it explores the effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction on the South. The characters are all struggling to come to terms with the changes that have taken place in their world.
Faulkner’s use of stream-of-consciousness narration allows the reader to get inside the minds of the characters and see the world through their eyes. The language is often difficult to understand, but it is rich and full of symbolism. The characters are all deeply flawed and their flaws are on full display. The novel is a tragic look at the disintegration of a family.
Contents
- 1 What does full of sound and fury signifying nothing mean?
- 2 Who said full of sound and fury signifying nothing?
- 3 Where did the phrase The Sound and the Fury come from?
- 4 What is the message of The Sound and the Fury?
- 5 What is the most famous line from Macbeth?
- 6 What is life but a walking shadow meaning?
- 7 What are Macbeth’s final words?
What does full of sound and fury signifying nothing mean?
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the phrase “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing” is used to describe the witches’ prophecies. These prophecies are full of sound and fury, but they ultimately mean nothing. This phrase is often used to describe situations or events that are full of noise and emotion, but which ultimately have no significance.
Who said full of sound and fury signifying nothing?
The quote “full of sound and fury signifying nothing” is from Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. In the play, Macbeth is speaking to his wife about how he is going to kill Duncan, the king. Macbeth is worried that Duncan will be protected by the gods, but his wife tells him that the gods are not to be feared. Macbeth says “full of sound and fury” to describe how he is feeling: he is full of anger and violence, and he knows that what he is doing is meaningless.
Where did the phrase The Sound and the Fury come from?
The phrase “The Sound and the Fury” is a quote from the William Faulkner novel of the same name. The phrase is used to describe the chaotic and confusing nature of the novel.
What is the message of The Sound and the Fury?
The Sound and the Fury is a novel written by William Faulkner that tells the story of the Compson family in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. The novel is narrated by various members of the family, with the first section narrated by Benjy Compson, a retarded man, and the last section narrated by Quentin Compson, Benjy’s brother.
The main themes of the novel are the nature of time, the power of memory, and the destructive effects of racism. The novel also explores the themes of family loyalty and betrayal.
The Sound and the Fury is often seen as a commentary on the decline of the Southern aristocracy in the early 20th century. Faulkner was a native of Mississippi and was well-acquainted with the social dynamics of the region.
What is the most famous line from Macbeth?
There are many famous lines in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, but the most famous is probably, “Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble.” This line is spoken by the three witches, and it sets the tone for the rest of the play. This line is memorable because it is ominous and suggests that there is trouble ahead for Macbeth.
What is life but a walking shadow meaning?
What is life but a walking shadow meaning? The phrase “life is but a walking shadow” is often used to describe the brevity of life. This quote is from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, where the character Macbeth reflects on the brevity of life. The meaning of the quote is that life is short and we are all just a shadow of who we are. We come into this world and we leave this world, and in between, we live our lives. This quote is a reminder that we should live our lives to the fullest and not take life for granted.
What are Macbeth’s final words?
Macbeth’s final words are typically interpreted as a statement of his guilt. After being fatally wounded, he utters, “Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”