On the Narrative Functions of Sound Writing in The Sound and the Fury

doi:10.15936/j.cnki.1008-3758.2024.02.016

Abstract

Abstract: Sounds have distinct narrative functions in The Sound and the Fury， serving as Faulkner's artistic way of fusing Southern literary traditions with modernist aesthetics. They either constitute different plots or scenes， or contribute to themes and cultural implications， thus playing a multifaceted role in characterization， story construction， and thematic expression. The inner timbre of speech sounds and the guiding role of external sounds in psychology provide an effective perceptual path for molding characters' personalities， consciousness， emotions， and cognitive traits. Specific sound signals and images forecast plot growth， reconstruct the story timeline， influence the narrative rhythm， and generate space-time aesthetics in conjunction with macro narrative voice. Furthermore， Faulkner adopts “personal voices” to tell the spiritual ecology and living conditions of special groups in the changing times， and writes about the motif of survival and development from the standpoint of humanistic care， demonstrating his clear southern identity and his critique and reflection on historical， religious， social， and cultural issues.

Key words: William Faulkner; The Sound and the Fury; sound writing; narrative function

CLC Number:

I106.4

HUANG Xiaoyan， ZHANG Zhe. On the Narrative Functions of Sound Writing in The Sound and the Fury[J]. Journal of Northeastern University(Social Science), 2024, 26(2): 144-150.

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