Appendix to The Sound and the Fury

William Faulkner's appendix to "The Sound and the Fury" serves as a crucial extension and clarification of the Compson family's complex and tragic history. Here's a summary of its key aspects: *Genealogical History:** The appendix provides a detailed lineage of the Compson family, tracing their history from their ancestor's arrival in America to events occurring after the novel's main timeline. It offers a broader historical context for the family's decline, situating their struggles within the larger narrative of the American South. *Fate of the Characters:** It reveals the fates of the surviving Compson members, offering insights into their lives after the novel's events. For example, it details Benjy's institutionalization, Jason's continued bitterness, and information regarding Caddy's life. *Clarification and Expansion:** The appendix clarifies certain ambiguities within the novel and expands upon the characters' motivations and actions. It provides a more objective perspective on the Compson family's disintegration, supplementing the subjective viewpoints presented in the novel's main sections. *Historical Context:** It places the Compson's decline within the historical context of the south, and the decline of the southern aristocracy. Authorial Intent: * Faulkner created the appendix later, and it can be seen as his way of adding context, and some amount of clarity to a very complex novel. In essence, the appendix functions as a historical record, offering a comprehensive overview of the Compson family's rise and fall.