8/14/2019 "The Sound and the Fury" Character Argument: Dilsey is the most powerful character in the novel.

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The Sound and the Fury Character Argument:Dilsey is the most powerful character in the novel.

The house servant, the nanny, the black woman; this is what wecan relate to when we hear the name Dilsey along in The Sound andthe Fury, by William Faulkner. A novel telling the literally finaldecaying stages of the Compson family, we see Dilsey as a characterthat stands out in power in the fray. Her ability to act effectively onmorals and ethics is admirable than the rest of the characters in this

novel.

In the novel, the dirty trousers symbolize Caddys (same personof Candace Compson) promiscuity. This passage also foreshadows hermoral fall later on the book. It is interesting to note that Dilsey can seeall through this. She is the one left with a whole minded to take care ofthe children. Mrs. Compson is all too obsessed to please sadistic Jason,who cares about no one but his own well being.

Hush Dilsey, Mrs. Compson said. Its neither your place nor mine totell Jason what to do. Sometimes I think he is wrong, but I try to obey his

wishes for you alls sakes. If Im strong enough to come to the table,Quentin can too.

Dilsey went out. They heard her mounting on the stairs. Theyheard her a long while on the stairs.Youve got a prize set of servants, Jason said. He helped his mother andhimself to food. Did you ever have one that was worth killing? You musthave had some before I was big enough to remember.

Further reading and analysis of this passage shows how Dilseyand Candace will be the characters in a massive struggle of some kind.

Mr. Compson requires Caddy to raise Benjy, her severely mentally illolder brother. In a way, she almost replaces the father when it came toBenjys upbringing. Essentially though, it is Dilsey that is burdenedwith having not only to take care of the Compson family, but also to tryto avoid from the family to dissipate. A loyal and thoughtful intent, butif there is one thing that Dilsey is unable to act effectively on, it isher inability to hold the family together in the last stage of thisdegeneration.

Just look at you. Dilsey said. She wadded the drawers andscrubbed Caddy behind with them. It done soaked clean throughyou. She said. She put Caddys nightie on her and Caddy climbedinto the bed and Dilsey went to the door and stood with her hand onthe light. You all be quiet now, you hear. She said.

8/14/2019 "The Sound and the Fury" Character Argument: Dilsey is the most powerful character in the novel.

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Jasons ability to abuse others is definitely undoubted. However,he is outwitted by a woman, (Quentin, Candace Compsons daughter)when she managed to repossess the money that her unknown mothersent. Therefore, we can safely conclude that in this definition of power,

Jason is weak. He is also pathetic morally. To that also, there is nodoubt. His recurring habit of stealing and abusing are very obvious inthe book and proves his emotional and mental weakness.

Candace is morally weak also. Although she does have an impacton every character in the novel, her role as the protagonist explainshow she put events forward with her presence. However, she does notwield the power that Dilsey has. Her dirty trousers that symbolizeimpurity confirm this. Caddy has a child on fornication, and leaves thechild with cynic Jason. Both of these actions suggest how she has herown form of moral decadence. Quentin, (Candaces brother) is also

morally distorted. He has an obsession with his own sister, anobsession in trying to protect her honor and try to make her a virgin.

For some reason, Quentin thinks he can regain her honor byclaiming that he and Caddy committed incest. In my opinion, I thinkthis is just a worst excuse for an upcoming child. His lack of resolving,his determination to beat time, these are all reasons of how he cannotface nor stick to reality. And it is that reason, which explains how hecannot act nor do effectively.

Returning to Dilsey, her sense of right and wrong originates fromher faith in God. As she prepares to take Benjy Compson, the followingoccurs:

It is important to note how Dilseys sense of right and wrongdoesnt limit itself in her sense of duty in being a servant for the

If we could just have done something so dreadful that they would have fled hell except us.Ihave committed incest I said Father it was I it was not Dalton Ames And when he putDalton Ames. Dalton Ames.

I wish you wouldnt keep on bringin him to church, mammy, Frony said. Folks talking.

Whut folks? Dilsey said.

I hears em, Frony said.

And I knows whut kind of folks, Dilsey said. Trash white folks. Dats who it is. Thinks he

aint good enough fer white church, but nagger church aint good enough fer him.

Dey talks, jes de same, Frony said.

den you send um to me, Dilsey said. Tell um de good Lawd dont keer whether he bright or

not. Dont nobody but white trash keer dat.

8/14/2019 "The Sound and the Fury" Character Argument: Dilsey is the most powerful character in the novel.

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