Mrs. Baione-Doda
AP Literature
6/3/2009
Sigmund Freud’s theories on sexual repression and the id, ego, and superego are reflected in many modern day novels. One of these novels is William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury. In this novel, each character undergoes an inner conflict which is a good example of Freudian philosophy. It is through the characters in this novel that one can come to better understand the concepts which Freud came up with many years ago.
From the very beginning of the novel, there are references to Freudian type ideals with the character Damuddy. She represents an older time, one with values and morals which has long left the Compson residence. It is because of her death that the shift to immorality and sin in the family can be represented. These old time ideals are carried on to some children in the family, but it is reflected in different ways amongst all the children.
Caddie is representative of the id in Freud’s theory. (Thinkquest) In one part of the novel, her brother describes how he looked up her dress while she climbed a tree and saw her soiled underwear. This would later serve as a metaphor for her losing her virginity out of wedlock. This is furthermore reflected as in later generations, her own illegitimate daughter goes on to be even more immoral then her mother has been. This increasing loss of values in society can be shown by a passing of the generations in this book. (U. of Saskatchawan)
In contrast to Caddie, Benjamin could be seen as the ego in Faulkner’s novel. (Thinkquest) He is often partial in his narrative, and the least bias of any of the other characters. Because of this, it allows readers real insight into what is actually going on in the Compson household. Benji can be shown to hold some of the old time Compson values, as he gets upset when he realizes Caddie is doing things like going out with boys. This is also shown when he gets upset at Caddie for wearing perfume, or when he states that Caddie no longer smells like trees to him after she has lost her virginity. It is because Benji holds his values without being overly aware of judgmental about his surroundings that lend him to becoming the ego of this novel. (ABC-CLIO)
The superego can best be shown by the character of Quentin. (Thinkquest) After the family finds out about what Caddie has done, it shames them all. This immorality hits Quentin the hardest though, he is so ashamed of what Caddie has done that it drives him insane. The fact that Quentin actually killed himself over the embarrassment that Caddie brought upon her family reflectes how deeply old values were engrained in him. He would rather die then live with the shame that comes with being in the same family as a sister who lost her virginity out of wedlock, and bore a child out of wedlock. His suicide represents the ultimate devotion to his old time beliefs and values.
In this novel, Faulkner lends his writing to the theories of Freud regarding the id, ego, and superego. It is because of this, that the reader is able to see into the lives and beliefs of all the Compson characters and analyze why they behave the way they do. Freud’s theory helps to better understand this complex novel. Freud’s theory helps to show the moral decay within the Compson family, and the ultimate downfall of each of the children.
Works Cited
English. Dept. home page. Mar. 2003. U of Saskatchewan. 18 May 2009
“Sigmund Freud.” World History: The Modern Era. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 18 May 2009
http://www.worldhistory.abc-clio.com/>.
Thinkquest. “Freudian symbols.” Library Thinkquest. 2004. Library Thinkquest. 18 May
2009
