Quentin is totally obsessed and consumed by time. From his constant references to shadows, to his grandfather’s watch, to the various clocks and other timepieces denoted in the section, Quentin is completely consumed by his reflections concerning time. It is this infatuation that drives Quentin mad. His madness stems from his personal feelings on time, and his father’s cynical outlook on time and life in general.
This section begins with Quentin waking in his dorm room to the sun coming through the shades of the window. He knows immediately, just from gauging the shadow cask from the drapes, that it is between seven and eight o’clock: “When the shadow of the sash appeared on the curtains it was between seven and eight oclock…” (p. 76).
The first thing he is aware of is the ticking of his grandfather’s pocket watch, given to him by his father. He then remembers what his father told him upon giving him the watch. The timepiece represents the absurdity of human existence in that it ticks off time that cannot be brought back. It is not possible to do all that a person wants to because the watch is constantly ticking off time, or, as Quentin’s father sarcastically puts it, “slaying” it. Quentin does not agree with his father’s observation. He would rather think of the time he has, rather than dwell on the fact that he is just loosing time and that life is absurd. This is where much of his insanity stems from, the contradictory feelings of his father and himself.
The Term Paper on Jim Despain Dignity Time Job Father
Jim Despain's innate desire to do the right thing was tapped early in his life. Beginning with the harsh reality his father showed him when he killed the family dog after Jim had disobediently egged the dog on to go against the rules. It was evident early on that when Jim broke the rules, he paid a significant consequence. Fortunately, the lessons Jim learned with each consequence handed to him, ...
Quentin’s father seems to think that it is important to realize that the watch is not there to show the time, but to help one realize that time is passing by. Quentins father says “I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire; it’s rather excruciating-ly apt that you will use it to gain the reducto absurdum of all human experience which can fit you individual needs no better than it fitted his or his father’s…” (p.76).
This is why Quentin goes to the clock shop. It is not important for him to know the time. The ticking of the clocks reminds him of his father’s words about the absurdity of life. This is both comforting and distressing to Quentin. He is comforted by the memory of his father, while at the same time repulsed by it. That is why he leaves the shop in such a hurry.
Quentin’s obsession with shadows seems to show his need to know that time is not a purely mechanical device, but a thing that can have a more personal meaning. The shadow is a representation of the person. It is always there, and will not pass away. It cannot be slain. While the watch, as Quentin’s father believes, is a device for destroying time, the shadow, as Quentin would rather believe, represents the present. This contradiction in thought leads to Quentin’s insanity and ultimate suicide.
Quentin is unable to deal with the contradictory thoughts in his head. His father’s cynicism had deeply affected Quentin. The “reducto absurdum” of life conflicts with his own beliefs on time and life. In the end, he feels he has to separate himself from the present, the shadows. The only way to accomplish this is to kill himself.
