If you’re halfway through what’s supposedly one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, but nothing quite makes sense, you’re probably reading a work by William Faulkner. His narrating characters often offer clashing versions of the same story and seem unsure of who, what, or when they’re talking about. Seemingly minor details trigger intense emotional reactions that are hard to understand, and the prose is loaded with convoluted sentences and outlandish imagery. If you’re confused, that’s good— it means you’re on the right track. William Faulkner is considered one of America’s most remarkable and perplexing writers. Fortunately, he wasn’t just toying with his audience. Faulkner used confusion intentionally, to explore the most mysterious parts of the human mind and investigate pressing issues of personal, racial, and regional identity. The result is a body of work that’s shocking, inventive, and often hilarious—but above all, challenging.
Many of Faulkner’s novels are set in the fictional county of Yoknapatawpha—a fantastical reimagining of Lafayette County, Mississippi, where he spent most of his life. Born in 1897, Faulkner grew up steeped in oral storytelling traditions, from folklore and family histories to local legends of Civil War glory. However, these grand myths didn’t match the messy reality of the American South, divided by racist Jim Crow laws and plagued by the legacies of slavery and colonial violence. All these tensions come alive inside Yoknapatawpha. Full of horror, humor, and human tragedy, Faulkner’s stories feature many memorable characters, like the spurned bride who sleeps beside her would-be husband’s corpse, or the duped sharecropper obsessively hunting for imaginary coins. At first glance, these characters seem grotesquely absurd. But under the surface, they all reflect his obsession with how people process the past—what they stubbornly hold on to, unwittingly forget, and willingly distort.
Much of Faulkner’s fiction is told from multiple perspectives, offering the reader several versions of the story’s events. For example, “The Sound and the Fury” combines the narratives of Benjy, Quentin, and Jason Compson, three brothers haunted by memories of their sister Caddy. One brother’s narration will occasionally fill the gaps left by another’s, but just as often, their accounts contradict each other. To make things more confusing, Benjy’s narration is disjointed in time, slipping between past and present without warning. Meanwhile, Quentin’s section confuses fact and fantasy as it jumps backward in time from the day of his untimely death. Only the aggressive, money-hungry Jason attempts to embrace the present—but even he is constantly overtaken by past resentments. Following these threads can be bewildering, but Faulkner wants the audience to share in the characters’ confusion. This approach allows readers to understand the Compsons’ biases and blindspots firsthand.
Since his characters’ distortions of the past often reflect larger denials of Southern history, Faulkner’s works also allow him to explore his own anxieties about the South. For example, his novel “Light in August” deliberately induces ambiguity about a character’s racial origins in ways that undermine rigid Jim Crow policies. And in “Absalom, Absalom!” narrating townsfolk remark that “no one knew how” a local landowner had come into his property, and that his house was built “apparently out of nothing.” This kind of evasive language shows how characters are desperate to cover up the region’s intolerable history of genocide and slavery.
But even when exploring the heaviest topics, Faulkner spellbinds readers with verbal acrobatics. One particularly bewildering sentence in “Absalom, Absalom!” runs 1,288 words long, and features locals haggling over “violently-colored candy,” a “cloudy swirl of chickens,” and a hard-drinking planter who’s compared to both a worn-out cannon and a showgirl. Even his jokes can breed more confusion, such as when Benjy Compson conflates his sister Caddy with golf caddies. Reading Faulkner is rarely easy, but it is deeply rewarding. He invites readers to contemplate the unreliable nature of history and memory. In teaching us to embrace confusion and recognize the limits of our perception, Faulkner can help us listen for hidden meanings in the sound and fury that surround us.
Draw a detailed character map for one of Faulkner’s novels, such as “The Sound and the Fury.” Include connections between characters, their relationships, and key events they are involved in. This will help you visualize the complex web of interactions and perspectives Faulkner uses.
Choose a character from a Faulkner novel and write a diary entry from their perspective. Focus on how they perceive events differently from other characters. This will help you understand the subjective nature of Faulkner’s storytelling.
Form small groups and discuss the major themes in Faulkner’s works, such as racial identity, the legacy of the South, and the nature of memory. Each group can present their findings to the class, fostering a deeper understanding of Faulkner’s thematic concerns.
Create a timeline of events for a Faulkner novel that features time distortions, like “The Sound and the Fury.” Try to piece together the chronological order of events based on the different perspectives provided. This will help you grasp Faulkner’s complex narrative structure.
Select a particularly convoluted passage from one of Faulkner’s novels and break it down sentence by sentence. Discuss the imagery, language, and any underlying themes. This will help you appreciate Faulkner’s verbal acrobatics and the depth of his prose.
Literary labyrinths – Complex and intricate structures or narratives in literature that challenge the reader’s understanding and navigation of the story. – The novel “House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski is known for its literary labyrinths, with multiple storylines and footnotes that create a confusing and intricate reading experience.
Confusion – A state of uncertainty or lack of clarity, often resulting from a lack of understanding or conflicting information. – The protagonist’s actions in the story caused confusion among the other characters, as they struggled to comprehend his motivations.
Human mind – The complex system of cognitive faculties and processes that allows individuals to think, perceive, and experience the world. – The author’s exploration of the human mind in the novel provided deep insights into the characters’ thoughts and emotions.
Personal identity – The unique characteristics, beliefs, and values that define an individual and distinguish them from others. – The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance of his personal identity forms the central theme of the novel.
Racial identity – An individual’s sense of belonging to a particular racial or ethnic group, often shaped by cultural, historical, and societal factors. – The memoir explores the author’s struggles with racial identity and the impact it had on his experiences growing up.
Regional identity – A collective sense of belonging and identification with a specific geographic area, including its culture, traditions, and values. – The novel vividly portrays the characters’ strong regional identity, as they exhibit distinct dialects and customs unique to their hometown.
Setting – The time, place, and social context in which a story takes place. – The author’s detailed descriptions of the setting transported the readers to a remote island, immersing them in the story’s atmospheric and isolated environment.
Characters – The individuals or entities that drive the plot and actions within a story. – The novel features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique personality traits and motivations.
Multiple perspectives – The inclusion of different viewpoints or narratives within a story, providing a more comprehensive understanding of events and characters. – The use of multiple perspectives in the novel allowed the readers to see the story unfold through the eyes of various characters, offering different insights and interpretations.
Time distortions – Disruptions or manipulations of the chronological order or perception of time within a narrative. – The novel employed time distortions, jumping between past and present, to create a sense of suspense and mystery.
