How Does Benjy's Name Change

In the modern times, individuals with special needs are often treated as equal as the rest of the population and are given the utmost respect at home and in the public. Also, it has been determined that they are also viewed by their family as a gift to them and not as a burden. However, it was not like this back in the past, in fact, it was the exact opposite, as individuals with special needs were often pushed away from their family. In the Sound and the Fury, by William Faulkner, Benjy has his name changed by his family in an attempt to alienate him from the family. In addition, it is seen that this event reveals various aspects of the characters in the Compson & Dilsey family, and also illustrates how individuals born with disabilities

It begins with Caddy telling Maury his name has changed to Benjy. Benjy hears Caddy saying, “Your name is Benjy, Caddy said. Do you hear. Benjy. Benjy.” This demonstrates the first time Benjy learns of his new name, however, an explanation is not given to Benjy on why his name changed, which could hint at the family preventing him from knowing the truth and keeping it secret from him. After this event, it is seen that Mother asks of Benjy to talk to him. She is very heartless and does not understand what Benjy is going through. It is evident that she does not care for her children and that she is not fit to be a mother. “Mother said. “A five year old child. No, no. Not in my lap. Let him stand up.” “If you’ll hold him, he’ll stop.” Caddy said. “Hush.” she said.” This moment depicts to the reader a mother, who fails to recognize her child’s disability. It also illustrates how she does not comfort him when he is despondent. The scene shifts to Caddy being in the kitchen with Benjy, and Dilsey reprimanding them because Dilsey does not want Benjy in there so ‘she’ does not ‘get started’. Dilsey says, “What you want to get her started for, Dilsey said. Whyn’t you keep him out of there.” This reveals how Benjy is kept out of certain areas most likely due to his disability. Also, he is kept out of the kitchen to prevent Benjy being near who appears to be Frony. Eventually, Dilsey exposes her utter

Due to the abundant events taking place within the ‘Name Change’ event as a whole, it is necessary to understand the significance of this memory. This event is significant because it highlights the true characteristics of members of both the Compson and Dilsey family as well as it shines a light on inner family conflicts. With regards to Caddy, the event illustrates Caddy as an individual who is always there for Benjy as she tried to give the news to Benjy as lightly as possible to prevent him from becoming sad. She always defends Benjy as seen by the reader when Jason tore up Benjy’s dolls, and in addition, her presence is what keeps Benjy happy. Whenever Caddy smells like trees—in other words, maintains her innocence— Benjy remains happy and at peace within. In contrast to Caddy, Mother appears to the reader as a character who is ‘too proud of herself’ and this results in the poor treatment of Benjy when he is in her company. Mother is an individual who is not prepared to care for young children, let alone a five-year-old child with a mental disability. She has yet again illustrated that she does not realize that Benjy is different, which is proved when he is crying and she fails to hold him in her lap to quiet him down as suggested by Caddy. Father is also another character who is similar to Caddy, but also an individual who does not pay enough attention to