|
|
Post by jqueller9 on Oct 12, 2011 22:07:39 GMT -5
Throughout the novel, Faulkner focuses on characters' eyes, comparing them to objects that help depict each character. Darl describes Jewel's "pale eyes like wood set into his wooden face" (4). When describing Addie, Cora says that "her eyes are like two candles when you watch them gutter down into the sockets of iron candle-sticks" (8). By conjuring up these objects for comparison, Faulkner employs visual imagery to help the reader associate certain qualities with each character, giving them greater meaning. Wood is a very rough element, rigid and unfeeling. This is an apt description of Jewel, who is uncommunicative and unemotional. The image of a candle slowly dwindling until it snuffs itself out is a haunting illustration of the decline toward death, which has been the most prominent characteristic of Addie thus far. Why do you think Faulkner chose to emphasize eyes throughout the novel, and what meaning can the reader gain from this focus?
|
|
|
|
Post by kmehta9 on Oct 12, 2011 23:56:54 GMT -5
Even though I completely agree that Faulkner focused on characters' eyes, I think he wanted readers to pay closer attention to the noise of Cash's saw because every character mentioned it - to give unity among all of them - until Cash finished making the coffin:
Darl said, "....beginning to hear Cash's saw...." (Faulkner 4)
Cora said, "We can hear the saw in the board" (Faulkner 9)
Jewel said, "....hammering and sawing on that goddamn box...." (Faulkner 14)
Dewey Dell said, "....Cash like sawing the long hot sad yellow days up into planks...." (Faulkner 26)
Tull said, "....knocking and hammering at the boards...." (Faulkner 31)
Anse said, "....Cash having to get them carpenter notions...." (Faulkner 36)
Peabody said, "....hear Cash sawing for a mile before I got there...." (Faulkner 42)
Vardaman said, "....Cash nails the box up...." (Faulkner 66)
|
|
|
|
Post by mmazzucco9 on Nov 1, 2011 19:14:39 GMT -5
I noticed Faulkner's regular mention of the eyes as well. I think that he mentions the eyes due to the very fact that this novel is solely through the eyes of each character. There is no "true" narrator, yes Darl and Cash serve as narrator yet their chapters are still tainted by their biases. We learn what happens in the novel through the eyes of each character, therefore their eyes serve the purpose of allowing the reader to view the story.
|
|
