Benjy's chapter April 7, 1928 Post#2

This chapter was written from the point of view of Benjy. Faulkner created it very disorienting in that it would periodically switch between different time periods due to Benjy's flashbacks. This was done to fully express how disorienting it is for Benjy, how difficult his life is. He also lives off of his senses, mainly his sight, sound, and smell. In example he may here the word caddie and then have a flashback about Caddie. This was shown at the beginning of the novel when a golfer says "here, caddie" bringing to Benjy the memory of hearing her name being called (3). He then remembers a time with Caddy, "Caddy uncaught me and we crawled through…" (4). This is important because it proves how the way Faulkner wrote this chapter is just how Benjy's mind works, because sensations bring memories upon him. This happens with his other senses as well. For example when he sees something that reminds him of his past, a pillow or a fire, it triggers his memories from what he had seen in his past. His memories are also triggered from smells, for example when he smells trees it reminds him of Caddie because he thinks "she smelled like trees" (72). Therefore this chapter is disorienting because that is how Benjy's mind functions.

Benjy's need for his sister and his past shows the insensitivity of his family. When Benjy waits by the fence hoping for Caddy's return it shows that she was the only one who loved him. His moaning and crying every time he hears her name proves that they loved and took care of each other, and the fact that Benjy is 33 and still cries over her shows that no one else has loved him so since she left him. In fact his family is not only unloving but they are also embarrassed of him. He is also bullied by his caretakers, for example Luster will repeat Caddy's name just to make Benjy cry. This shows that family is supposed to love and support one another, but when they do not it is destructive. His family cares only about appearance and discredits love and compassion. This shows how, at the time, the south cared a lot about social standing, certain families in particular. These families were aristocratic, meaning they valued money and class. It was important for these families to keep their family name in such high standings, which is why Benjy's aristocratic family is embarrassed of him. These families were inadequate at loving one another which is shown in the way they treat poor Benjy. 

Benjy was born on the Saturday before Easter and is the age (33) of Christ when he died on the cross. Which means that he can be a symbol of Jesus. Benjy can represent Jesus because of his pure, innocent, lovable character. Everyone else in the novel does not see this just as Christ was not acknowledged by the people around him. Benjy is living a life of goodness, as Jesus did, but is being acted upon with hatred, just as Jesus was persecuted. The Easter weekend is a sign of death, which means there must be hope and resurrection to come.