Abstract:This study aims to investigate the causes of Compson family’s tragedy in the Sound and the fury, which is the masterpiece of William Faulkner. And the causes are analyzed mainly from two aspects, including external factors and internal factors. Eternal factors are divided into three major points. The first is the living environment of the South American people after Civil War. The second is the decline of the old system in the South of America, which is reflected in three points: the lack of religious belief, spiritual crisis and the decay of Puritanism. And the last one is the defect of American Capitalism. Internal causes are divided into two major points, the weakness of the characters and the relationship between family members. The paper analyzes the formation of tragedy according to these details and phenomenon.

Key words: The Sound and the Fury; Compson family; South America; tragedy; decline

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction 1

  1.1 Introduction to William Faulkner

  1.2 Introduction to The Sound and the Fury

2. External Causes of Compson Family’s Tragedy .3

  2.1 Living Environment of the South American People after Civil War

  2.2 Decline of the Old System in the South of America

    2.2.1 Lack of Religious Belief

    2.2.2 Spiritual Crisis

    2.2.3 Decay of Puritanism

  2.3 Defect of American Capitalism

3. Internal Causes of Compson Family’s Tragedy.7

  3.1 Weakness of the Characters

  3.2 Relationship between the Family Members

3.2.1 Relationship between Children

3.2.2 Relationship between Caddy and Miss Quentin

3.2.3 Relationship between Dilsey and Compson Family

4. Conclusion11

Bibliography.12

Acknowledgements..13