An End and A Beginning

The novel The Sound and the Fury examines the slow demise of an once prominent Southern family destroyed by the unfortunate actions of the family members.  The final chapter represents the conclusion of the demise and therefore the family's once great legacy.  All the remaining family members of the household have either run away or become become emotionally destroyed by their departures leaving the family in shambles.  

The use of Dilsey as the main source of narration connects the beginning to the end of the novel.  She is the only uninvolved character who has watched the family fall from greatness and therefore she alone has the ability to impartially speak about the family.  Dilsey says at many points in the final chapter, "I seed de beginnin, en now I sees the end."  With only Benji and Mother physically left in the house, Dilsey realizes the family no longer has any form of connection to bond them as a real family.  The Compson family has disappeared with time leaving no remnants to ever recreate itself or to achieve the glory Jason fought for.  Benji, the least respected of the family, alone is able to journey on and create  more supportive family from the ashes with Dilsey and Luster.  The final chapter leaves us looking back on the Compson family and looking forward to the Benji's new start with his fused family.  The final chapter is not only the end of the Compson family, but also the beginning of Benji's and Quentin's new life separated from the poisonous Compson "curse." (235)