etations, in general, are simplistic and this is clearly reflected in the way he describes his experience with alcohol. The loss of control that is associated with inebriation is new to Benjy, and he doesnt understand that his judgement is impaired and the champagne he consumed has altered his perception of the world. Instead, he only understands that the ground is moving beneath himhe believes what he sees. I couldnt see it, but my hands saw it, and I could hear it getting night, and my hands saw the slipper but I couldnt see myself, but my hands could see the slipper, and I squatted there, hearing it getting dark (Faulkner 72). Benjy relies heavily on his senses, especially sight, smell, and touch. He associates sight with the knowledge that an object is present, which is how sees with his hands, he knows the slipper is there, but he cant physically see it. Because of this, Benjy appreciates beauty and color and light, which is evident in his fascination with fire. It is also understood that this slipper belonged to his sister and serves as a sort of security blanket. One understands that Benjy tells his story without adding any intelligent interpretation, allowing one to witness the evolution of the Compson family through the eyes of a simpleton while laying down the framework of the plot, however confusing it may seem. If Benjy fails to analyze events around him, Quentin overanalyzes them. He concentrates on time and constantly tries to escape time, which he eventually discovers is inevitable. His dark, mysterious narration is centered about the events leading up to 1910, and places emphasis on his desire to preserve his sisters innocence as well as his role as the walking shadow of the Compson family. The shadow hadnt quite cleared the stoop. I stopped inside the door, watching the shadow move. It moved almost imperceptibly, creeping back inside the door, driving the shadow back into the door (Faulkner 81). Quentin dwells on darkne...
