Jason’s Section: April 6, 1928
Jason Compson is a character that really pushes the boundary between being selfish and completely not giving a care in the world. Since childhood , Jason was not trusted by any of his family member even his own siblings, Quentin and Caddy; he was always alone and excluded from many things going on. In his section, we see his bitterness and his rude and aggressive disposition. His strong dislike for everyone even his own mother, who loves him the most out of all of his sibling, shows us how much Jason lacks respect for anybody and he only cares about himself. Throughout his section, Jason doesn’t say anything kind or nice to anybody, and he only cares about how other people’s actions, such as Caddy getting pregnant, affect him.
In his section, Jason accounts for the conversations with his mother where she is expressing how great Jason is. For example, when Jason’s drinking problems become a major issue, his mother tells him “‘ You [Jason] are my only hope,’ hope she says. ‘Every night I thank God for you " (173). Jason treats his mother very poorly and doesn't even bother to reciprocate the love she gives him. Jason is upset with his sister Caddy being the reason why he didn't get the job at the bank. He also he treats his niece Quentin very rudely. This may have resulted from the fact that Jason hates her mother . For example, Jason tells Quentin " Everybody in this town knows what you are... 'But I've got a position in this town, and I'm not going to have any member of my my family going on like a nigger wench. You hear me?'" (163)
Jason character represents the old South and its values; he believes that everyone, specifically his sister Caddy should behave in a certain way. He judges everyone for their actions. He is disrespectful to everyone, even his own employer; he even compares people to "niggers" whom were thought to have the lowest societal status.
I agree that Jason is selfish. You had good support for that observation with how he is upset with Caddy's pregnancy because it could have negative effects on his reputation. I like the supportive quote when Jason says "I've got a position in this town" because it emphasizes just how selfish and arrogant he is.
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis!
ReplyDeleteYour analysis of Jason is spot on! I was wondering: have you ever thought about how Jason got to be this way? Certainly, we knew he was a little annoying kid who was cutting up all of Benjy's paper dolls. Even from the start, we kind of already hate him. However, that's a thing kids do. We can see this from how Caddy was always trying to have all her siblings "mind" her when she was a kid and threw a fit when she didn't get to be leader of the troupe.
However, it's interesting how Jason developed being spoiled by an abusive mother. He's seen discrimination close and up front happening to his siblings. Therefore, he develops in a certain way.
Isn't it interesting how Faulkner thinks all the way to Jason's childhood? How at same time he's telling this story, is also modeling Jason's development, that constant discrimination being in your environment, to the Old South?
Just a thought!