If you have been brave enough to get here, you have been rewarded with a much easier to read chapter, congrats!!! This is Jason's turn, with his point of view of the story and his values. What do you think of him? And about the others? Somehow, Caddie has gone a transformation, from being the sweetest sister (Benjy's point of view) to the fallen one (Jason's), how blurry is that line?
The title of the novel is inspired by Shakespeare's Macbeth:
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.
Told by an idiot, many say, does not only refer to Benjy, but to all of them with their limited views and acts, do you agree?
OK, so, yes, this is a difficult book to read. It is not the kind you can just open for 5 minutes on the subway and read like if it were the society column of the paper. But that doesn't mean it's not worth it. You need to go pass those temptations to quit, and keep going. Seek help if you need it (wonderful wikipedia article helping with the plot, there are two Quentins!!! One brother and one Caddie's daughter!!!). If it is written with something called the "stream-of-consciousness narrative technique", it isn't supposed to be easy. It is deep, very deep, sad and terrible, but only because it is so real and so WELL WRITTEN. I can understand why Faulkner got a Nobel Prize, it is no easy business writing something like this.
ReplyDeleteGoing back to the questions, Jason feels like an egoist man, so egoist that yes, I do believe he is one of the idiots telling the tale. And the changes in the characters, do reflect how life is, relative and imperfect. So from my humble opinion, great to have the different views and how people change with time and circumstances.
Happy to have one more chapter to go.
Two Quentins! That provides some explanation to my confusion… :-)
ReplyDeleteAre we already here? I just finished chapter 2 and I thought I just made it on time! I have lost track of time with this book.
ReplyDeleteOk, I have to admit I struggled to finish chapter 2 (thank God for Wikipedia!), especially when I read this (literally from Wikipedia): “While many first-time readers report Benjy's section as being difficult to understand, these same readers often find Quentin's section to be near impossible.” It was as if I had written it!!
But I agree with Rocio, it is worth the effort. I believe at the end of the book, all pieces will fit and it will be interesting reading further reviews and explanations to understand the characters and the plot. The story is so deep, sad and real that I want to know more about it.
Let me see what Jason has to tell us...
Yes two Quentins!!! hahaha, I was so confused as well!
ReplyDeleteAnd Arantxa, yes I read that phrase as well! It is true that chapter 3 is a much easier read!
Wow, so much easier to read!! It really pays off reaching Chapter 3. What a horrible character this Jason. It is a promising chapter.
ReplyDeleteTwo Quentins, male and female. Just for the sake of confusion.
I am happy to know reading gets easier in this chapter. Although I am very curious about the family and very interested on the book, I don't know how many more parts I could bear reading without making sense of the story...
ReplyDeleteI am behind schedule but, considering what Rocio and Arantxa say, I will hopefully catch up soon!
This chapter is certainly much easier to read, what a pleasure!
ReplyDeleteMaybe because the character does not have mental health problems. Benji's chapter was difficult to get because of Benji' special point of view. Quentin's was even harder because of his sensitivity and his obsession and neurosis with the past and with Caddy.
Jason seems to be focused on the present. He thinks things are as he sees them, and that's it. I guess that is why his thoughts are simpler, straightforward and, therefore, clearer. He is mean. It seems that life has been mean to him - not that I believe that is an excuse to act and think as he does, but it can be an explanation. He is full of reproaches and resentment. A big part of it, instigated by his mother. She is definitely a pathetic, selfish and egocentric character. I think with all her drama and hypochondria, she is a big reason for all the instabilities and issues of the family.
I feel terribly sad for Quentin. It is heart-breaking when she says that she misbehaves because she has to, it is what is expected… she knows she wears a label.
Although through Jason's glass, this chapter starts putting some light on the issues of the family and their complicated relationships. I think the fourth, and final chapter, will provide the context and explanation we need to fully understand, and appreciate, the previous chapters, particularly the first two. Looking forward to it!
Macarena, what a fantastic summary!! I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteI am almost done with the third chapter. I am looking forward to reading Dilsey's point of view. It will give us a third party perspective, always important and hopefully even further clarifying.