Southern code or something more?
The Compson family shows a straying away from the tendencies of the old South. Concepts of family honor and purity mean less to characters such as Caddy and Mr. Compson. The one character who genuinely seems disturbed by this change is Quentin. Quentin tries to live his life as a gentlemen with southern ideals. He believes women should maintain their purity and men should respect them. The promiscuity of Caddy contests Quentin's beliefs and greatly upsets him. He believes Caddy has brought shame upon the Compson family name and his only way of coping with this is by committing suicide.
My questions deal with the relationship between Quentin, Caddy and morality. Is Quentin overreacting in regards to Caddy's promiscuity or does he have a right to be involved? Is Quentin only upset that Caddy is hurting the family name or is there perhaps an aspect of incest and jealously? Lastly, does Quentin have a right to be concerned about his sister's purity when there seems to be a double standard for what is considered proper sexual conduct amongst men and women?
5 comments:
At the time of this book's writing, women were still looked at as below the man. They were still supposed to make sure to keep the husband happy and watch over the children. In respect to that, I feel Quentin had a right to watch over his sister and feel he had to protect her. As for for the family name, I think Quentin was mainly just upset.
I agree with sammy. During that time period the south was hurting still and some believe the only thing that could still ring true was the honor and southern ideals. Quentin was not only trying to protect his sister but the south. He felt if he tried to keep these ideals maybe the south could be saved but once he realizes he cant protect Caddy anymore or the ideals of the south, he ends his life.
I think that Quentin has a right to react to Caddy's sexual behavior, but not to the point that he has; he seems to forget that it is her decision. I believe that because of the deep bond he feels towards Caddy, the anger he feels stems more from their slightly incestual relationship than his fear of a tarnished family name.
I agree with Seija in that he should be reacting to Caddy's promiscuity but not to the extent that he has. Regardless of the time I don't think that anyone would like to hear their brother or sister portrayed negativity, but based on reading the Quentin section I would say his feelings have surpassed wanting to protect Caddy just for the sake of her being his sister. Also to some extent I think Quentin is jealous that Caddy lost her virginity before he did which is shown in the beginning of the Quentin section when he reflects on the conversation he had with his father.
I think that for the time his actions are right on. During that time women were seen as needing to be protected and if the father is unable to full fill that duty it falls upon the sons to take up that role. So with Quentin believing that his father doesn't care or act accordingly he steps in a fills that role or tries to to for Caddy.
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