Quentin's Eerie Goodbye: June 2, 1910

As I plow through the second chapter of Fury, I would like to hope I am beginning to see eye to eye with the mystery that Faulker was. Although my interpretation may be incorrect, I feel strongly that Faulker gave a voice to the "inferior" through his writings, especially in this second chapter. Though the first chapter, from a mentally handicapped point of view, does unbiasedly introduce readers to characters and events, I believe Faulker is giving a voice to those who are unable to put their thoughts onto paper, hence Benjy. This is seen repetitively, whether it be in Quentin's interactions with foreigners such as the little Italian girl, or the Compson's interactions with their African American slaves. Most importantly in the second chapter, Faulker gives a voice to the mentally ill. This copious empowerment and unique point of view readers receive from these unusual characters is unparalleled in frequent, popular literature.

At times, Quentin's chapter was almost as difficult to understand as Benjy's chapter was. The mental state of Quentin is clearly shaky, and his mental health is degenerating. By the second to last page, Quentin is rambling with no punctuation, with little sentence structure, and quick frankly, with no sense. Although his sentences are difficult to decipher, the overall message is clear. Quentin's obsession with Caddy and his inability to remain mentally sane are what the page long rants symbolize.

Benjy's interactions with time seem to be endless, whether he is setting down a watch, asking for the time, or watching the hands on a clock. This seems to be the polar opposite of Benjy, who is oblivious to how time functions. Although Quentin is more mentally present than Benjy, he is unable to escape this never ending notion of time. Quentin unfortunately feels as though the only escape from time and order that he cannot control is through suicide.

Quentin's obsession with Caddy, and specifically Caddy's virginity, is evident in this chapter. On multiple occasions, Quentin expresses to Caddy the idea of telling people that Quentin is the father of her child. This is another way Quentin is attempting to save the family name, and hold the family together as he watches them disintegrate. Quentin is disappointed upon speaking with his father, who  clearly has differing views on Caddy's loss of pureness. Jason, the father, states, in a new age quote, "men invented virginity, not women," and believes virginity is "just words." This nonchalant idea of virginity is completely horrifying to Quentin as he remains true to his Southern ideals and values.