ABSTRACT

The Sound and the Fury is one of the representative works written by the American writer William Faulkner. Earlier studies on this work mainly focus on the southern themes, multiple-perspective narration, and the technique of stream–of-consciousness. However, in order to probe into the theme and its profound meaning of this novel, this thesis will discuss the mythological archetypes applied in it. Through the application of myth-archetypal criticism put forward by Northrop Frye, this thesis attempts to analyze the mythological archetypes and their symbolic meanings in The Sound and the Fury in three aspects, namely, structure, characters and symbols. The use of mythological archetypes not only adds much more aesthetic value to the novel, but also strengthens the theme that the degeneration of a common family implies the destined fall of the whole southern society. In addition, these archetypes clearly express Faulkner’s exploration of moral values, which infuses this novel with more realistic significance.

Keywords: William Faulkner; The Sound and the Fury; Myth-archetypal criticism; Mythological archetypes

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 William Faulkner and His Works-1

1.2 A Brief Introduction to The Sound and the Fury-2

1.3 Overview of the Present Thesis-4

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-5

Chapter Three AN INTRODUCTION TO MYTH-ARCHETYPAL CRITICISM-7

Chapter Four  BIBLICAL STRUCTURES IN THE SOUND AND THE FURY-9

Chapter Five  BIBLICAL CHARACTERS IN THE SOUND AND THE FURY-11

5.1 Caddy: The Incarnation of Original Sin-11

5.2 Benjy: Jesus Christ in Disguise-12

5.3 Quentin: The Scapegoat-13

Chapter Six BIBLICAL SYMBOLS IN THE SOUND AND THE FURY-15

6.1 Water: Symbol of Purity and Death-15

6.2 Tree: Symbol of Evil and Sins-16

6.3 Fire: Symbol of Warmth and Punishment-17

Chapter Seven CONCLUSION-19

WORKS CITED-21