An Ecofeminist Reading Of The Sound And The Fury

This thesis aims to explore the ecofeminists'ideas in The Sound and the Fury. Written by the most prominent writer in the twentieth century William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury has been under the focus of study by a great number of scholars. Based on the studies of the scholars both at home and abroad, this thesis attempts for a discussion of The Sound and the Fury from the perspective of ecofeminism.In the novel, William Faulkner succeeds in putting women and nature together, and perceives the interconnections between them. The present thesis focalizes upon the awareness of ecofeminism that William Faulkner builds through the presentation of men's domination over women and nature.Besides the introduction and the conclusion, this thesis is divided into three chapters.Chapter one studies women and nature which are under the domination of the patriarchal system. It contains three sections including men's domination over women and nature and the correlation between women and nature. Firstly, Caddy and little Quentin function as the "others" in the eyes of the three Compson brothers. They are defined by men and deprived the right to speak under the oppression of the patriarchal system. Benjy describes Caddy as a mother and Quentin depicts Caddy as a lover while Jason takes both Caddy and little Quentin as bitches. Secondly, this chapter discusses men's domination over nature through men's inharmoniousness with nature and destruction on nature. Under the exploitation and plunder of men, the American South takes on a desolate look. It is mentioned many times in the novel that the American South is left with decadence everywhere. Finally, this chapter studies the correlation between women and nature for they share an intimate relationship. Women are often naturalized and nature is usually feminized while they are in the same oppressed position which is imposed by men.Chapter two explores the revolts of women and nature. Under the domination of the patriarchal system, women and nature have no choice but to revolt. It elaborates from three sections. Firstly, this chapter discusses women's revolts through Caddy's pursuit of equality and independence and little Quentin's self-improvement. Caddy pursues to have equal right with her brothers in her childhood and she searches for equal sexual love between women and men when she grows up. After her divorce, Caddy achieves financial independence by selling her body. As a continuity of Caddy's rebellious spirit, little Quentin seeks self-improvement by revolting against Jason and her final escaping from the Compson House. Secondly, this chapter studies the revolt of nature. In the appearance, nature can not fight against the men-dominated system except keeping silence. But in fact while nature can not bear the degree and scope of men's oppression, it could retaliate against men. Finally, this chapter explores the correlation of the revolts between women and nature. Women and nature's revolts share some similarities as they are just accepters of men's domination and they do not revolt against it until they have no way to choose, and finally they go to a tragic ending to arouse men's awareness.Chapter three focuses on William Faulkner's viewpoints on both women and nature in the novel. For William Faulkner, Caddy and little Quentin are the hope of American South, and he affirms their revolts. According to William Faulkner, men should love and respect nature and try to live a harmonious life with nature rather than destroy nature. Faulkner believes that anyone who destroys nature may get destroyed in the end.From the above analysis, this thesis comes to the conclusion that William Faulkner has shown some consciousness of ecofeminism in The Sound and the Fury. He not only affirms women's revolts against men's domination and realizes the importance of protecting nature but also takes notice of the intimate relationship between women and nature. He probes the relationship among men, women and nature, attempting to build a harmonious relationship among them.