Quentin's Obsessions

Although the Quentin chapter is less disorienting than Benjy's, the complexity of his memories and ideas make it difficult for the revelation of meaning to occur. Quentin's obsessions, and morals create a complex stream of thoughts, that lack a sense of reality, making it difficult to understand. Therefore when he obsesses over intangible objects, like time and virginity, the simpler writing of this chapter is interrupted by revelations of his mental stability. 

As he takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions that come from his goals to forget time, and explain an unladylike mistake, made by Caddy, his irrational character is revealed. Quentin is found overwhelmed by the reminders of time that are all around him, forcing him to make rash decisions. He is consumed by trying to escape the ticking of his wrist watch by making an impulsive decision to break it. Despite the destruction of the watch it keeps ticking, symbolizing the efforts of Quentin to forget time. No matter his effort to destroy it objects like his shadow, that signify the time of sunset, that remind him of the unrelenting idea of time.

Quentin is trapped in the memories of his past including the ruining of reputations, in his eyes. As Caddy becomes pregnant Quentin views the situation as the going against the morals of a southern family. Therefore he believes that taking blame for the pregnancy, by declaring incest, would make for less judgment. However it is his own judgment, and strict following of conservative conduct that is weighing on his mind. For those around him, like his father, believe that virginity is a made up concept and hence is not surprised. 

This lack of support from his family to produce a plan that would save Caddy and him from the mistake against the code of conduct pushed Quentin to the edge. His lack of mental stability to overcome these events, and ideas led to his living in the past. He cannot escape the hands of time leading to him being overtaken by the past, and giving in. Quentin's committing of suicide is a cause of his craze and obsessions over the difficult abstract ideas of time and virginity.