Finished. Wow- that book was more racy than almost any modern day soap opera! What is it with all of the men in this story having illegitimate children and unexplained wives, etc...? It really doesn't paint a very good picture of the south during this time period.
Is the overall theme of the book racial relations? I'm just not sure what message Faulkner is trying to convey. Of course, there are a lot of family references too. Thomas Sutpen is a cruel man and everything he touched seemed to disintegrate: his children, his mistresses, his "wives", his house, his slaves, and especially himself. One of the saddest parts of the book for me was when he goes to see Milly and tells her its a shame she wasn't a mare so he could give her a stable. The book had many depressing elements.
The relationship between Charles and Henry is an interesting one. Why did Henry kill Charles? Did he really not want him marrying his sister- for which there are many legitimate reasons? Was he overcome with jealousy or embarrassment at finding out this was actually his brother? How could he kill his own brother- so many questions.
I had not read the commentary part- however, I was looking in the back of my book and stumbled across the list of characters and their relationships to one another and that is how I learned of Thomas' connection to Charles. This was shocking considering that he wanted to marry Judith. The ending was a bit confusing for me- especially when I was listening to it. So does Quentin hate the south or not?
It seems like quite a few of these books have been and are based in the south- it kind of makes you want to visit there. Maybe someday we can plan a trip together. :) I liked the book overall (the story was great) but it did seem like the narrators were winded in places, making it hard to listen to. Did you ever find the longest sentence? I'm wondering which one it is.
Jun 24, 2009
Jun 3, 2009
Response to chapter 4 questions
The first chapter is told from Miss Rosa's point of view when she summoned Quentin to listen to the story before he leaves for Harvard. It was as if she laid out the whole story but it came out so fast that you don't recognize the players in it because you are not properly introduced to any of them. Rosa had a very difficult and sad life, she is quite bitter about it and blames Sutpen for all of the hardships she and her family had to endure.
I did not notice the homosexual overtones but the incestuous ones did make me uncomfortable. It was frustrating to me having characters referenced, like Clytie and Wash Jones, without knowing much about them but you slowly learn about them in later chapters.
If you read the commentary in the spark notes for Chapter 4, it gives away an important part of the story that you should not know yet, don't go back and look for it if you didn't catch it.
Most of the final chapters are retold in a conversation between Quentin and his roommate, Shreve. It is a long evening where they discuss the story and read the letter. You do learn more about the history of Sutpen too, where he came from before he raised Sutpen's Hundred from the swamps.
You had a question about Judith throwing a fit, it seems like she liked to race and was upset when they were told to stop, she was a feisty little girl whereas Henry was a squeamish little boy.
I appreciate that you are reading with me too. I worry that you have too much on your plate so just remember that we can go at whatever pace is most comfortable to you, its not supposed to cause you additional pressure, believe me I am okay. See you this weekend.
I did not notice the homosexual overtones but the incestuous ones did make me uncomfortable. It was frustrating to me having characters referenced, like Clytie and Wash Jones, without knowing much about them but you slowly learn about them in later chapters.
If you read the commentary in the spark notes for Chapter 4, it gives away an important part of the story that you should not know yet, don't go back and look for it if you didn't catch it.
Most of the final chapters are retold in a conversation between Quentin and his roommate, Shreve. It is a long evening where they discuss the story and read the letter. You do learn more about the history of Sutpen too, where he came from before he raised Sutpen's Hundred from the swamps.
You had a question about Judith throwing a fit, it seems like she liked to race and was upset when they were told to stop, she was a feisty little girl whereas Henry was a squeamish little boy.
I appreciate that you are reading with me too. I worry that you have too much on your plate so just remember that we can go at whatever pace is most comfortable to you, its not supposed to cause you additional pressure, believe me I am okay. See you this weekend.
Jun 2, 2009
Chapter Four, Reading Again...
After hearing this chapter I had to find some help because I was really confused- turns out after reading a few things on SPARKNOTES I had a right to feel confused.
I couldn't tell if Henry didn't want Bon to marry his sister because he was in fact having a relationship with her himself or if he wanted to have a relationship with Bon. Of course, the real reason was because he was already married to a prostitute or some girl he had won and then owned? It is hard to believe that things like this were going on in our country (they still are) not that long ago and people didn't get upset about it. Did you pick up on the homosexuality innuendos too, or am I crazy? The incest part wasn't that surprising since I think Faulkner hints at it in an earlier chapter- something about the children being too close?
I love southern dialectic, the accent is fun to listen to. I like the line at the end of this chapter made by Wash Jones: "Kilt him dead as a beef".
Also- when are we going to hear from Rosa Coldfield? Has she already talked? Am I correct in saying that the entire story up until now has been told by Quentin's grandfather? Quentin's grandmother was a friend to Judith and she was the one who received the letter from her, right? I hope I'm getting it all, please tell me if there is something I've missed. Thanks again for the book. You are too nice to me!
I couldn't tell if Henry didn't want Bon to marry his sister because he was in fact having a relationship with her himself or if he wanted to have a relationship with Bon. Of course, the real reason was because he was already married to a prostitute or some girl he had won and then owned? It is hard to believe that things like this were going on in our country (they still are) not that long ago and people didn't get upset about it. Did you pick up on the homosexuality innuendos too, or am I crazy? The incest part wasn't that surprising since I think Faulkner hints at it in an earlier chapter- something about the children being too close?
I love southern dialectic, the accent is fun to listen to. I like the line at the end of this chapter made by Wash Jones: "Kilt him dead as a beef".
Also- when are we going to hear from Rosa Coldfield? Has she already talked? Am I correct in saying that the entire story up until now has been told by Quentin's grandfather? Quentin's grandmother was a friend to Judith and she was the one who received the letter from her, right? I hope I'm getting it all, please tell me if there is something I've missed. Thanks again for the book. You are too nice to me!
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