Characters

             Quentin Compson - The oldest of the Compson children, a sensitive and intelligent boy preoccupied with his love for his sister and his notion of the family's honor. After Caddy's marriage, Quentin commits suicide by drowning toward the end of his first year at Harvard.
             Benjy Compson - Born Maury Compson, his name was changed to Benjamin in 1900, when it was discovered that he was severely retarded. A moaning, speechless idiot, Benjy is deeply attached to his sister Caddy, who is a mother-figure for him. When it was thought that he attempted to rape a young girl, Benjy was castrated in 1910.
             Jason Compson IV - Quentin, Caddy, and Benjy's mean-spirited, petty younger brother. Promised a job by Herbert Head in a bank, Jason ends up working in a Jefferson farm-supply store after his sister's divorce from Head in 1911.
             Caddy Compson - Actually named "Candace"; Mr. Compson and Mrs. Compson's only girl. Very close to her brother Quentin, Caddy becomes a promiscuous adolescent, and becomes pregnant unintentionally. She marries and is divorced by Herbert Head. Forced to leave her daughter (Miss Quentin) to be raised by her family, Caddy is sent away from the Compson home, where she continues to send money for her daughter--money that is continually misappropriated by her vicious brother Jason.
             Jason Compson III - Caddy, Quentin, Benjy, and Jason's father; Caroline Compson's husband. A cynical man with a philosophy of determinism and the helplessness of mankind, a philosophy with which his son Quentin struggles in vain before his suicide. Mr. Compson drinks himself to death shortly after Quentin's death.
             Caroline Compson - Caddy, Quentin, Benjy, and Jason's self-pitying and constantly ill mother.
             Miss Quentin - Caddy's illegitimate daughter, raised by the Compsons after Caddy's divorce. A rebellious, miserably unhappy, promiscuous girl.
             Dilsey - The Compsons' Negro cook, a pious, strong-willed, and protective influence.
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