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Women and Their Roles - Sound and the Fury by Faulkner

© Janet Kay Blaylock

In The Sound and the Fury, Jason, Sr. makes several comments about women; Quentin states his reactions to his father's remarks; the roles of Caroline and Dilsey have basically switched; and Caddy doesn't have a section to state her comments.

Jason, Sr. views women as inferior and evil. He sees Caddy's behavior as sin because she is pregnant and is not married. He says that "virginity means less to women than men," (75). Even though a relationship involves two people, Jason, Sr. makes the reader believe the woman is in sin. He further states that purity is against the nature of women. This means that since he sees women as inferior and evil, they cannot be pure. Purity cannot reign in someone's life if he or she live a life of sin. He also says that "[women] are never virgins," (116). This statement indicates that women want sex and do not care about being pure.

Quentin cannot accept his father's attitude toward Caddy's pregnancy. His father states his views about women, but Quentin points out that "to believe it doesn't matter," (78). Just having a belief in something isn't everything. It's people's actions that count. Quentin is angry with Caddy because she is pregnant. He cannot accept her dreadful sin. He also sees his mother as selfish and ignorant of her children's feelings. Their mother spends most of her time in her bedroom, so she is not a good role model for her children. As a result, Quentin blames his mother's selfishness for Caddy's actions. If she had been more of a mother to them, Caddy wouldn't have sinned. He says, "if I'd just had a mother so I could say Mother," (172). Quentin wishes he could have called her Mother.

Caroline is their mother, but she is egocentric, which means she is more concerned about herself than others. Because of her self-centeredness, she has no room in her heart for her husband or her children. Caroline always complains about something and whines about her circumstances. When they are talking, Caroline says, " 'Nobody knows how I dread Christmas. Nobody knows. I am not one of those women who can stand things. I wish for Jason's and the children's sakes I was stronger,' " (8). These statements shows her selfishness, weakness, and self-pity. Because of her condition, she cannot handle the children. As a result, she doesn't want to be around them.

Caroline makes Caddy take the role of being the mother in the household. Caroline tells Caddy that she'll need to take care of Benjy when she is gone, so she needs to think about her responsibilities now. Even though she doesn't have love in her heart for her children, she does seem to care for Caddy. Caddy is carrying Benjy, but Caroline says, " 'He's too big for you to carry. You must stop trying. You'll injure your back. All of our women have prided themselves on their carriage,' " (63). She wants Caddy to stop carrying Benjy because she doesn't want her to hurt herself. She also says that the women are proud of their physical stature.