The old adage "The South never dies" seems to be quite accurate in William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. Every member of the Compson family is virtually the opposite of the old Southern ideals and beliefs. Caddy's promiscuity, Benjy's mental disability, Jason's vulgar attitude towards his family, Quentin's twisted obsession with Caddy, Mrs. Quentin's rebellious attitude due to her own upbringing, and Mrs. Compson's ability to consider one's children as punishments from God; they all stray from an idyllic, well-ordered Southern family. Mr. Compson was the only member who managed to retain his Southern morality for the most part, only straying from the norm after the death of his son, Quentin. Each character, in their own way, describes how the ancient ideals of Southern nobility began and continue to dissolve. While this may be the underlying reason for the emergence of Southern principles, it is not enough to view the South as just a physical location. setting; When we talk about the South, whether inadvertently or not, we have in mind the ideals and stereotypes of the old South. Many people actually view the South more as a set of labels and perceptions of the customs of that region rather than as a geographic location. The old South includes much more than just general ideals and simple stereotypes; there is much more to Southern culture than can be grouped into these words. The upper classes generally demonstrated loyalty and expressed very refined manners. Men were painted as composed, chivalrous and hardworking, while women were expected to be kind and proper. The South has certainly transcended in its own way to become more of a way of life than just a geographic location. The reader is never able to...... middle of paper ...... pair, and victory is only an illusion of philosophers and fools. (Faulkner. 48) Perhaps Mr. Compson knew that this was also a battle they could not win but perhaps prolong. With Mr. Compson's death, Mrs. Compson remains the symbol of House Compson, which ends up being sadly accurate. The house, the family name and the values ​​she and her husband tried to instill in their children are crumbling beneath their feet. “Faulkner's title echoes the most famous protest against a life without climax. But Macbeth, by finding his action resolute, diverts his drama from the idiotic tomorrows which mean nothing. (Warwick Wadlington. 4) Just like Macbeth where the title comes from, the family will turn into nothingness and continue to live no more without a groan; carrying with him the ideals, values, customs and culture of the old South.