It becomes clear that Quentin is complicated character. His thoughts are a constant flow of consciousness, with few indications of explicit details. He leaves most of his thoughts vague, and his flashbacks sudden and segmented. Like Bengy, Quentin often has flashbacks. However, Quentin's are more detailed and alive. Bengy's flashbacks are seen from a perspective of senses, while Quentin's follows a progression, with fluid emotion, input, and personal initiative. His does not follow the observer standpoint like Bengy's. Rather, in most of his flashbacks, he is the doer. Bengy's obsession with Caddy is a result of her maternal care for him. Quentin's obsession is centered around Caddy's promiscuous past and the consequences.
In the opening scene of Quentin's narrative, he is in his dorm in Harvard. He discusses the death of St. Francis, and draws a metaphor to Caddy. He also recalls the announcement of Caddy's wedding with Mr. Jason Richmond Compson. His obligation to his family was to be a student, and to study. However, this obligation was directed mostly to Caddy, as opposed to his father. Caddy persuaded Quentin to remain as a student in Harvard, because his tuition was supported as a result of selling Bengy's pasture. His obsession at this moment was Caddy. He immediately has a flashback of Caddy's marriage announcement, and his plan to run away with Caddy and threaten Dalton Ames.
I agree with all of what you are saying. I like your comments on his obsession with Caddy and how it is centered around her past and her promiscuity, and all he wants to do is take care of her properly. I also agree that Caddy is the center of his obligations to his family, and that his thoughts are constantly going, and are jumbled, chaotic, and at sometimes very negative and angry (those are typically about Caddy's past)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting analysis of Quentin's character as I did not consider the 'fluid emotion' aspect of his thought processes. It is quite the schism between him and Benjy in terms of narration if it is thought about in this manner, and very interesting to think about. But I do question whether or not his role in the family was simply just being a student.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that Quentin's flash backs take into consideration a "personal initiative", but what do you mean by they are "more detailed and alive"? They have more imagery? I also agree that his obsession with Caddy roots from her promiscuity.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you explained this section. You make a complicated chapter a clearer story. The description of the relationships is accurate, but a little more personal insight would be nice. The comparison between the two brothers is proper and specific, and well analyzed.
ReplyDeleteI like how you went to explain that quentins thoughts are "a constant flow of his consciousness" having his flashbacks come and go being sudden almost impulsive at times. I really liked how you went on to explain that Benjys comes from his senses while Quentins comes from progression.
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