The Sound and the Fury- Blog 1

When presented with the opportunity to write a screenplay based on a novel I admire, my mind was drawn to William Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury," unquestionably one of the best novels I have ever read. While the novel is unique in style and manages to include several idiosyncratic perspectives, its themes broadly relate to human nature. Morality, failure, and self-discovery are all on display, and Faulkner effortlessly conveys the problems he witnessed in the South. The Compsons, once a proud family, have descended into oblivion. Ruined by finances, alcohol, and excessive pride, their dynamic sets the stage for a brilliant work of fiction.

"The Sound and the Fury" lends itself quite well to a screenplay format. There are memorable characters, most notably the distraught Quentin, whose story I centred my original piece on. His inner struggle is the basis for one of the best sections of literature I have ever read. Quentin begins at the pinnacle of the academic community, waking up at Harvard University. He evidently struggles with the concept of time, and constantly listens to the ticking of his watch. His recollection of past events contextualizes his sorrow: Caddy, his beloved sister, has been impregnated and marries another man hastily in order to maintain a normal lifestyle. Jason III, his father, a grossly cynical man, bothers him immensely. His mother wallowed in self-pity throughout his childhood, and family tears him apart. On "June Second 1910" Quentin faces many encounters before ending his life by jumping in the Charles River. He is an exceptionally nuanced character- one who is not easily forgotten.