Character guide

Benjy Compson

major

Also known as Benjamin, Ben, Whooey, Sassprilluh

The mentally disabled youngest Compson son, whose fragmented narration opens the book.

Quentin Compson

major

Also known as Mr. Quentin, Quentin Compson

The sensitive, tormented eldest Compson son, obsessed with honor and his sister Caddy.

Jason Compson IV

major

Also known as Jason, Mr. Jason, Jason Compson

The bitter, cynical third Compson son who runs the household after his father's death.

Caddy Compson

major

Also known as Candace, Caddie, Miss Caddy, Quentin Caddy

The beloved but fallen Compson sister, central to her brothers' obsessions.

Dilsey Gibson

major

Also known as Case Miss Dilsey, Sis Gibson

The steadfast Compson family cook and maid, a pillar of stability and faith.

Mr. Compson

supporting

Also known as Father, Mr. Jason Richmond Compson, Compson

The alcoholic, philosophical father of the Compson children.

Caroline Compson

supporting

Also known as Mother, Mrs. Compson, Miss Cahline, Cahline

The hypochondriac, self-pitying Compson matriarch.

Luster

supporting

Also known as Dar Luster

Dilsey's grandson who cares for Benjy in the present-day sections.

Maury Bascomb

supporting

Also known as Uncle Maury, Maury L. Bascomb, Bascomb

Caroline's brother, a shiftless and scheming relative living with the Compsons.

Versh

supporting

Also known as Jason Versh

Dilsey's son, who looked after the Compson children when they were young.

T.P.

supporting

Also known as Sign T.P., T. P. Frony

Dilsey's son who cared for Benjy during Quentin's youth.

Frony

minor

Dilsey's daughter and Luster's mother.

Shreve MacKenzie

supporting

Also known as Shreve, Mr. MacKenzie

Quentin's Canadian roommate at Harvard.

Miss Quentin

supporting

Also known as Quentin, Poor Quentin

Caddy's rebellious daughter, raised by the Compsons.

Earl

minor

Also known as Mr. Earl

Jason's employer at the hardware store.

Roskus

minor

Dilsey's husband and the Compson family coachman.

Spoade

minor

A Harvard friend of Quentin's from the South.

Gerald Bland

minor

Also known as Gerald, marster marse gerald, marse gerald

A wealthy, arrogant Harvard student who antagonizes Quentin.

Mrs. Bland

minor

Also known as Bland

Gerald's doting mother who accompanies him at Harvard.

Dalton Ames

minor

Also known as the Dalton Ames

Caddy's lover, whom Quentin confronts.

Julio

minor

A Mexican man who chases Quentin after an incident with his sister.

Herbert Head

minor

Also known as Herbert, Ah Herbert Candace

Caddy's wealthy but dishonorable husband.

Charlie

minor

A man who kisses Caddy in the swing, seen by Benjy.

Natalie

minor

A girl Quentin kissed as a child, causing Caddy's jealousy.

Damuddy

minor

Also known as damuddy

The Compson children's grandmother, who died when they were young.

Lorraine

minor

Jason's mistress in Memphis.

Mrs. Patterson

minor

Also known as Patterson

A neighbor woman with whom Uncle Maury had an affair.

Mr. Patterson

minor

The jealous husband of Mrs. Patterson.

Deacon

minor

Also known as The Deacon

A black porter at Harvard who befriends Southern students.

Doc Wright

minor

Also known as Doc

A local doctor mentioned in the Compson household.

Uncle Job

minor

Also known as old Job, Job, Old man Job

An elderly black man working for the Compsons.

Queenie

minor

The Compson family's horse.

Dan

minor

The Compson family's dog.

Anse

minor

A man who works for the Compsons or is a local hand.

Louis Hatcher

minor

Also known as Louis, Unc Louis, Uncle Louis

An old black man who tells stories to the Compson children.

Mink

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Mac

minor

A minor character in the town.

Ab Russell

minor

Also known as Russell

A man from the town, possibly a farmer.

Fancy

minor

A horse or mule mentioned in the narrative.

Prince

minor

A horse owned by the Compsons or a neighbor.

Miss Daingerfield

minor

A woman from the town, possibly a teacher.

Nancy

minor

A minor female character mentioned in passing.

Beller

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or neighbor.