The Sound and the Fury

The final section of the novel employs an omniscient narrator, though the events are largely filtered through the perspective of Dilsey. It is early morning on a Sunday, the day after Benjy’s birthday, and Mrs. Compson calls for a hot water bottle from atop the staircase; Dilsey, meanwhile, is preoccupied with trying to get the fire built. Luster has overslept, and she has to take on his responsibility as well. She fetches some wood from the pile, lights the fire, and scolds Luster as he finally comes into the kitchen. He claims he had filled the stove the night before. She tells him to wake Benjy and get him dressed while she turns her attention to making breakfast.

Mrs. Compson again calls for the hot water bottle, and Dilsey mounts the stairs slowly. Mrs. Compson is worried breakfast will be late, which angers Jason. She offers to make it herself, though Dilsey shoos her away, knowing she will only make a mess of it. It seems as if Jason has overslept, however; he is usually up before eight, though all is still quiet at that time. Luster brings Benjy in for breakfast, saying that the window in Jason’s room is broken.