Ashley Persaud
Blog Post 1 

Faulkner’s approach to begin a novel with a narrator who is mentally incapable is an interesting one which leaves more questions than understanding for his readers. One thing which is extremely questionable is the relationship between Benjy and Caddy. Benjy is very attached to Caddy beyond a normal relationship, and Caddy enjoys the role she has taken on in Benjy’s eyes.  

One of the first memories Benjy allows us to see is him waiting outside at the gate for Caddy to come in. After Caddy has arrived and everyone everyone enters the house, Caddy requests to take Benjoy outside once again with her. “You needn’t go, Versh. I’ll keep him for a while.” Caddy insists on being alone with Benjy but we are never told why. “She smelled like trees. You’re not a poor baby. Are you. Are you. You’ve got your Caddy. Haven’t you got your Caddy (p.9).” Benjy continually references Caddy smelling like trees in his memories especially during moments of distress. Caddy also reinforces her role of importance to Benjy. She constantly repeats that he is not helpless but associates that fact with herself.  

The effect Caddy has on Benjy leaves a lasting impression. “I went along the fence, to the gate, where the girls passed with the booksatchels…You cant do no good looking through the gate, T.P. said. Miss Caddy done gone long ways away. Done got married and left you. You cant do no good, holding to the gate and crying. She cant hear you. (p.51) We are pushed forward in time to find Benjy reliving his past. We are introduced to Caddy as a schoolgirl with her books and we are left with Benjy watching these school girls hoping to see Caddy. As readers, we are given the privilege to see Benjy has a stronger mind capacity then the characters of the book can tell. Benjy reminisces everyday at the gate, but he knows she has gone because he hears T. P. say it over and over. 

Faulkner creates an intensely complicated character in Benjy. Benjy though his thoughts and memories are vivid, he lacks the ability to express himself the way he wants too. Benjy and Caddy is an example of a twisted codependent relationship. Benjy depends on Caddy as a source of happiness where as Caddy uses Benjy to feel important.