The Sound and the Fury is a novel by William Faulkner, published in 1929. It is set in the fictional town of Jefferson, Mississippi, and tells the story of the Compson family, a once-prominent Southern family whose fortunes have declined over the years. The novel is divided into four sections, each narrated by a different member of the family.
The first section is narrated by Benjy, the youngest Compson brother, who is mentally disabled. Benjy's section is written in a stream-of-consciousness style, and he is unable to understand the events that are happening around him. He remembers his sister Caddy, who has left the family, and his brother Quentin, who has committed suicide.
The second section is narrated by Quentin, the eldest Compson brother. Quentin is a Harvard student who is obsessed with his sister Caddy and her sexual promiscuity. He is also deeply troubled by his family's decline and his own inability to live up to his father's expectations. He eventually commits suicide by jumping into the Charles River.
The third section is narrated by Jason, the middle Compson brother. Jason is a bitter, selfish man who is determined to make money and restore the family's fortunes. He is also deeply resentful of Caddy and her illegitimate daughter, and he schemes to get custody of the child.
The fourth and final section is narrated by Dilsey, the Compson family's African-American servant. Dilsey is the only character in the novel who is able to see the family's decline with clarity and compassion. She is also the only one who is able to provide a sense of stability and hope in the midst of the family's chaos.
The Sound and the Fury is a powerful and complex novel that explores themes of family, memory, and the passing of time. It is a classic of modern literature and has been adapted into a film and a stage play. The novel is considered to be one of Faulkner's greatest works, and it has been praised for its innovative narrative structure and its vivid portrayal of the South.