Flower Symbology in "The Sound and the Fury"

Throughout Faulkner's classic novel The Sound and the Fury, there is a great deal of folkloric references made by a variety of characters. However, most of these concern "Southern regional and Negro folk beliefs" (2), which are not widely known. Thankfully, Charles D. Peavy explains the many allusions to Southern life that Faulkner makes in his article, "Faulkner's Use of Folklore in The Sound and the Fury".

The most interesting point in this article that I found was Peavy's discussion of the relevance of flowers in the novel, specifically Benjy's attraction to the jimson weed. To begin with, the jimson weed (Datura stramonium) is a member of the nightshade family and is by consequence poisonous. As Peavy points out, the fact that Luster and his relatives even allow Benjy to play with the weed is quite surprising given its potentially life-threatening toxicity. Furthermore, the jimson weed is quite malodorous, and it is sometimes referred to as the stinkweed. This association can be important in a number of ways, but I believe it is most central as an extension of the theme of smell. Quentin associates honeysuckle with Caddy, sex, and incest; Benjy associates the smell of trees with Caddy; and the family in general identifies the smell of jimson weed (a bad smell) with Benjy (a bad person in terms of luckiness).

Another interesting point concerning the jimson weed is its physical appearance. The weed, which has white or yellowish leaves, is closed for the majority of the day; only later does it open to emit its pungent odor. However, when closed, the weed stands erect and is viewed by both whites and blacks alike as a phallic symbol. During the scene where Benjy chases Temple Drake (which later results in his castration), there are a number of jimson weeds where she walks, and they "slash" at her legs. The sexual overtones of this chase is revealed given the physical description of the weed and the associations that come with it.

The most prevalent reference to a flower apart from the jimson weed is the "cornflower blue" of Benjy's eyes. This vivid phrase was not first used in The Sound and the Fury, however. Faulkner used it in a short story, titled "The Kingdom of God" published four years prior to the publication of his novel. In this story, another mentally-handicapped boy like Benjy is given "cornflower blue" eyes. This light, easy color represents innocence in both Benjy and the other character. Indeed, another name for the cornflower is in fact "Innocence." Thus, like the jimson weed, cornflower represents much more than just a flower chosen at random by Faulkner; like the entire rest of the novel, these two references served a specific purpose. As the readers, we just have to take it upon ourselves to find out what this purpose is, which makes reading The Sound and The Fury all the more enjoyable. (484)