Quentin and Caddy
There is obviously an interesting relationship between Quentin and Caddy. Caddy is a major topic on Quentin's mind throughout the second section of the novel. The first time Quentin had any encounter with a girl, Caddy disapproved and called her dirty. Likewise, Quentin reacts with disapproval with all men Caddy comes in contact with. Are they using other people to make each other jealous? Is it possible that the relationship between Caddy and Quentin is more than a sibling connection? What would drive Quentin to tell his father that they had an incestuous relationship or to propose mutual suicide between him and Caddy?
9 comments:
I would agree with the proposition that Quentin and Caddy are each engaging in sexual activity to make the other jealous. Caddy's promiscuity is regarded as much more degrading and severe simply because she is a female in the South. Also, when juxtaposed with Quentin's "Southern Gentleman" standards, Caddy's behavior must be repulsive to her brother.
I agree that the relationship between Quentin and Caddy is more than the normal sibling relationship, but I do not believe that they are trying to make each other jealous. Through their troubled family life they have been forced to become closer to one another, and the normal boundary lines between brother and sister have been erased. Because of this they have developed a deep, and sometimes sexual, bond.
I agree with the point that Caddy and Quentin try to make others jealous by interact with other people. I think they develop interesting relationship where they rely on each other more than brother and sister due to family problem.
I think a lot of Quentin's thoughts and actions are driven by his perception of family and trying to protect the integrity of his family name. I belive that Quentin has a close relationship with his sister, but is no more than that. His sexual thoughts carry over towards his sister because they are so close, and also that the thought of sex frustrates him very much. It's a strange connection, but plausible.
I think Quentin would tell his father that an incestual relationship between him and Caddy occurred because as we discussed in lecture, "incest is better than mixing races", so by telling his father that he is protecting Caddy from being shamed by her sexual promiscuity. I definately believe Caddy and Quentin have more than a normal sibling connection, seeing as both get jealous whenever the other hooks up with anyone. Also I believe he proposed mutual suicide because if Quentin couldn't have Caddy in life, then he would be with her in death and then no one else could have her.
As crazy as it may sound, I don't think Quentin actually desires to physically possess his sister. It seems to me that his idea of a proper suitor for his sister is so different from what she is engaged with, he finds almost no honorable alternative than to claim incest. Granted, incest seems very dishonorable, but then it would be pairing her with a 'gentleman.' I think the symbol of the Northern rape and her other losers lovers are just so below what Quentin envisions for Caddy that he reacts equally and oppositely. I think the passages where they attempt to disuade each other from romance were earlier on, when they had only each other and fought to protect that stability.
I also agree that Caddy and Quentin have more than just a sibling connection. I also think that they use other people to make each other jealous, which could be why Quentin committed suicide. Quentin may have not wanted to see his sister grow up and felt the need to always protect her. Quentin told his father about an incestuous relationship because he feels responsible for her and thought it would be a way to keep Caddy close to him and not in relationships with other people.
I agree that there may be more than a normal sibling relationship between Quentin and Caddy, but I do not believe Quentin may be jealous in the sense of an incestous relationship. I think Quentin told his father that he and Caddy had an intimate relationship as a cover up for Dalton Ames getting Caddy pregnant. This may also be the reason why Quentin proposes mutual suicide to Caddy as well.
I'm not sure if I can buy into the idea that Quentin's and Caddy's relationships are directly related to the other sibling. I think Quentin's love for his sister is primarily in that sense and not sexual. This love in conjunction with his Southern gentleman values would predict the somewhat irrational, distraught response found in the text to Caddy's promiscuity.
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