Loading...
AP English Literature and Composition
Multiple Choice

Identifying Allusion in Faulkner's Work

Very Hard Literary Devices Allusion

In William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury, the character Quentin Compson expresses profound anguish over the loss of his sister, Caddy. Throughout his internal monologue, Quentin reflects on the concept of time and the decay of Southern values, often referencing figures from classical literature as he grapples with his emotions. This technique raises not only the personal stakes for Quentin but also alludes to broader themes of existential despair and cultural disintegration. Given this context, the following lines from the text contain an allusion that enhances Quentin's emotional turmoil:

"I could hear the clock ticking distinctively. It was as if with each second, the world was collapsing while I lamented the inevitable failures… as if I were trapped in a web spun by Arachne herself, watching my own fate unravel in a tapestry of despair."

Which of the following best identifies the allusion made in these lines?

Hint

Submitted3.4K
Correct3.3K
% Correct97%