The Sound and the Fury Discussion Questions
Benjy’s Section pp. 3-75
Talking about The Sound and the Fury in your book club, on our message boards or with one of
your friends? These thought-provoking questions will get the discussion flowing!
1. This section moves between the past and present with little more than a change in typeface to
signify time shifts. How did you learn to find your way through Benjy's chapter? What is
Faulkner saying about time and memory by having Benjy introduce the Compson family story?
2. Although Benjy is mentally challenged, he is able to recall many conversations and significant
moments from his family's past. Discuss some of the events Benjy is remembering. Do you think
he is a reliable narrator?
3. Loss and longing permeate Benjy's chapter. Who and what have Benjy lost? Which losses
resonate most with him?
4. What objects does Caddy use to soothe Benjy?
5. On the day Damuddy dies, Caddy is the only Compson child willing to climb the tree to look
in the room. What does this say about Caddy's personality?
6. When Benjy was 5 years old his name was changed from Maury. For what reason was his
name changed? What do you think this says about the Compson family values?
7. Benjy senses Caddy's sexual maturation. How does he try to forestall the changes? What is
Caddy's response?
8. Discuss the ways in which the Compsons and the Gibsons care for Benjy. Do you think they
function as a typical extended family, or is there something special about Benjy that ties them
together?
Quentin’s Section pp. 76-179
1. The title of the book is taken from the despairing speech in William Shakespeare'sMacBeth:
"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow/ Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,/ To the last
syllable of recorded time/ And all our yesterdays have lighted fools/ The way to dusty death.
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,/
