The Sound and the Fury Study Guide

William Faulkner: A Concise Biography

William Faulkner (1897-1962) was an American writer renowned for his complex narratives and innovative literary techniques. Born in New Albany, Mississippi, and later moving to Oxford, Mississippi, Faulkner drew deeply from Southern life and history in his works. His early career was marked by various jobs, including a stint in the British Royal Flying Corps during World War I, though he never saw combat. His first novel, "Soldiers' Pay," was published in 1926, but it was "The Sound and the Fury" (1929) that established him as a significant literary figure. Faulkner's prolific output includes novels, short stories, poetry, and screenplays, with notable works such as "As I Lay Dying" (1930) and "Light in August" (1932). His writing often explores themes of decay, race, and the human condition through the lens of the fictional Yoknapatawpha County. Faulkner received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949, further cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in 20th-century American literature.

Historical and Literary Context for "The Sound and the Fury"

Published in 1929, "The Sound and the Fury" is set in the post-Civil War South and reflects the social, economic, and racial tensions of the era. The novel is a cornerstone of modernist literature, renowned for its stream-of-consciousness narrative style, fragmented chronology, and multiple perspectives. These techniques challenge readers to piece together the story of the Compson family, whose decline mirrors the broader disintegration of Southern aristocratic traditions.

During the 1920s, the South was grappling with the aftereffects of Reconstruction and the Great Migration, which saw many African Americans moving northward in search of better opportunities. Faulkner's work captures the complexities of Southern identity and the pervasive sense of loss and change. "The Sound and the Fury" particularly delves into issues of memory, time, and the individual's struggle against a disordered world.

Faulkner was heavily influenced by contemporary literary movements, including modernism and its emphasis on inner psychological realities over external events. The novel's title, derived from a soliloquy in Shakespeare's "Macbeth," underscores its themes of existential despair and the fleeting nature of human endeavors. "The Sound and the Fury" remains a seminal work, exemplifying Faulkner's innovative narrative techniques and deep engagement with Southern culture and history.

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