Jason’s
section is the clearest view the reader gets of Jason’s character. After his father died Jason has become the “man
of the house”. Although he is in charge
his mother always undermines him, even when trying to discipline Quentin. Jason tells his mother, “if you want me to
control her, just say so and keep your hands off. Every time I try to, you come butting in and
then she gives both of us the laugh” (Faulkner 181). Because Caroline Compson doesn’t fully let
Jason be the head of the house, Jason’s esteem is being lowered because he
doesn’t feel like a man. Although Jason
may be in denial about this, I think it affects his character immensely. This goes back to when Caddy tried to make
him “mind” her, now Jason is trying to get Quentin to mind him but she won’t;
even as an adult Jason has no control over his household and is still in a
power struggle. Another characteristic
of Jason is that he cares about his “position” in town and what people will
think about him. This plays another role
in his denial, although he acts confident on the outside, I believe he is very insecure. Jason is a misogynist and distrusts every woman. He gets angry that Caddy’s check arrives six
days late, and “yet [women] try to make men believe that they’re capable of
conducting a business” (Faulkner 190). Another
example of his misogynistic behavior is when Jason recalls Lorraine, the prostitute
he visits, and believes to, “never promise a woman anything nor let her know
what I’m going to give her. That’s the only way to manage them. Always keep them guessing. If you can’t think of any other way to
surprise them, give them a bust in the jaw” (Faulkner 193). Jason is the complete opposite of southern
gentlemen, with no respect for any woman.
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