How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Women are like that they dont acquire knowledge of people we are for that they are just born with a practical fertility of suspicion that makes a crop every so often and usually right they have an affinity for evil for supplying whatever the evil lacks in itself for drawing it about them instinctively as you do bed-clothing in slumber fertilising the mind for it until the evil has served its purpose whether it ever existed or no (2.103)
Mr. Compson’s understanding of gender leads him to all sorts of generalizations – in this case, one which blames women in general for the mistakes which Caddy makes.
Quote #5
what have I done to have been given children like these Benjamin was punishment enough and now for her to have no more regard for me her own mother I've suffered for her dreamed and planned and sacrificed I went down into the valley yet never since she opened her eyes has she given me one unselfish thought at times I look at her I wonder if she can be my child except Jason he has never given me one moment's sorrow since I first held him in my arms I knew then that he was to be my joy and my salvation I thought that Benjamin was punishment enough for any sins I have committed I thought he was my punishment for putting aside my pride and marrying a man who held himself above me I dont complain I loved him above all of them because of it because my duty (2.154)
This is Mrs. Compson’s one big moment in this text. It’s interesting that her monologue is worked into Quentin’s section – suggesting that perhaps her logic influences him more than we’d otherwise assume.
Quote #6
Ill make you say we did Im stronger than you Ill make you know we did you thought it was them but it was me listen I fooled you all the time it was me (2.563)
Quentin’s attempt to assume the guilt for all of Caddy’s sexuality hinges on his ability to be physically strong – but we’ve seen him get his butt kicked by both Dalton Ames and Gerald Bland. Hmm. No wonder it doesn’t work out. In this particular passage, he tries to convince Caddy that he can change her history just by being stronger than she is.