The Varying Perspectives of Caddy Compson Jesse Brundige

In Faulkerâs The Sound and the Fury, Caddy, the central figure, is never given a voice. Instead, her character is revealed through the narratives of her three brothers. Since the novel is largely surrounded by the concept of alternating truths, these three perspectives take on very different angles. By using the three different narratives, Faulkner stresses the individuality of man, even between family members, and facilitates this idea of alternating truths: that truth is essentially subjective in nature and relies heavily on the eye of the beholder. The fact that Caddy doesnât have a voice forces the reader to look at the perspectives of Benjy, Quentin, and Jason and come up with his/her own vision of who the true Caddy is. These three brothers have vastly different personalities and intelligence levels and some very dichotomous views of Caddy are put forth as a result. Sheâs a mother-figure, a whore, the only thing pure, a case of innocence lost, or a variety of other things according to which of her brothers one believes. But despite their disagreement over the quality of her character, all of the brothers consistently reminisce a great deal about Caddy and are tormented by her memory in one way or another. They lament her...