In the passage I chose, Quentin's true loneliness and pessimism towards not only his family but to the world as a whole is uncovered, and displays for the reader the possible reason for his death. In this passage, Quentin is the downer, the grey cloud in the otherwise blue sky for the people around him like Caddy and Benjy who manage to find happiness in simpler things. Quentin believes he is taking on responsibility, that of caring for Jason, that he believes no one else is capable of, and this shows his utter lack of friendship, connection, and understanding for those around him. He is unable to allow others to step into his life and help him, and instead he tries too hard to help others. This happens again when he takes the blame for Caddy's pregnancy, even though his false statement was completely unnecessary and uncalled for. In this specific passage, he is most concerned with Jason, and making sure "I'll take Jason and go where nobody knows us so he'll have a chance to grow up". This gives the reader an idea of Quentin's more obscure but ever-present selflessness and care for his family, however uncomfortably or unseeingly it manifests itself. This passage happens when Quentin is a child.
His desire to help others, but his inability to let others help him shows the true issues lying deep within Quentin. He is clearly broken throughout the novel, but his family is too caught up in themselves to see it. He even begins to reflect on the ideas of the dead and the living, which for anyone is not a good sign. In his obsession with Caddy, Quentin's differs from Benjy's in that Quentin's is in more a protective, older-brother kind of way whereas Benjy looks to Caddy for protection, love, and compassion.
After looking at everything that goes on in the Compson family, it is definitely true that Quentin takes on a responsible role in his family. But remembering the buildup of many actions, like his father's drinking, Mother's despair, and Caddy's promiscuity, most of that falls on Quentin. Although no one asks Quentin to step up in his family, he does. It comes as no surprise when he is grown and the problems of his family and his own self start to take a toll on him severely.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very interesting that you pointed out that Quentin doesn't let others help him even though he helps others. Your take on the Quentin chapter helped me to understand the chapter more, especially that idea of Quentin. I agree that Quentin is the "dark cloud in the blue sky" and is pessimistic, but can you blame him? His whole family is broken, which is why he's broken; therefore I think Quentin really reflects his family's dynamic as a whole. Also, I don't think he's the only pessimistic one; I think Uncle Maury, Jason, and Jason Sr. are all pessimistic too.
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