The Sound and the Fury (Cliffs Notes) [Paperback]

James L. Roberts (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0822012197 | ISBN-13: 978-0822012191 | Publication Date: October 17, 1963 | Edition: Revised

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.

In CliffsNotes on The Sound and the Fury, you explore what is considered to be one of William Faulkner's greatest novels. The Sound and the Fury tells the story of the decline of the once-aristocratic Compson family of Yoknapatawpha County, in northern Mississippi, as told in stream of consciousness by three brothers – Benjamin, Quentin, and Jason.

Summaries and commentaries guide you through each section of the novel, and critical essays help you understand the origin of the book's title, the structure of the book, and Faulkner's stream of consciousness style of writing. Other features that help you study include

• A section on the life and background of William Faulkner
• A special guide to the Benjy section – the most difficult section of the novel
• Analyses of the major characters
• An additional critical essay on meaning through motif in the novel
• Review questions and essay topics

Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes; Revised edition (October 17, 1963)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822012197
• ISBN-13: 978-0822012191
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Education > Study Skills
  • #76 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Study Guides
  • #84 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > United States > History & Criticism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic grip on reality, October 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sound and the Fury (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

Faulkner's use of the stream of conciousness allows the reader to get into, not only the lives of his memorable characters, but their thoughts, their dreams, and their souls. In the Compsons, Faulkner has craeted a family not soon forgotten. It is not a family to be admired and their circumstances should be avoided at all costs, but the Compson family is very easily identified with. The book draws the reader into the thoughts of the dying South and all that the "South" entails. The book is a challenge but gets pleasantly simple after the first two books. Faulkner's style either gets clearer or you as the reader become more accustomed to the style. Either way, the book is truely a classic that I would recommend to any of my friends.

4 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong characters but little action., September 25, 1998

By 

David Klingenberger (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sound and the Fury (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

This version makes much more sense than the one Faulkner himself dished up. No sorting through who said what to whom. I recommend this whole Cliff series.

3 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars powerful and stark, June 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sound and the Fury (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

not just a high school cliche. i started it, read it through, turned back to page one and started it again.