83 pages • 2 hours read
William FaulknerThe Sound and the Fury
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1929A 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.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
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.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
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.
Who Should Read The Sound and the Fury?
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.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
800L