How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Saying a name." Frony said. "He dont know nobody's name."
"You just say it and see if he dont." Dilsey said. "You say it to him while he sleeping and I bet he hear you." (1.386-7)
Benjy can’t communicate, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t understand Caddy’s name. His response to even the mention of his sister is perhaps the most important recurring thread of his narrative.
Quote #5
"Oh." she said. She put the bottle down and came and put her arms around me. "So that was it. And you were trying to tell Caddy and you couldn't tell her. You wanted to, but you couldn't, could you. Of course Caddy wont. Of course Caddy wont. Just wait till I dress." (1.543)
Only Caddy recognizes Benjy’s attempts to interact with the rest of the world. Perhaps Benjy misses her so much because she serves as his guide and his link between his inner life and the outside world.
Quote #6
I opened the gate and they stopped, turning. I was trying to say, and I caught her, trying to say, and she screamed and I was trying to say and trying arid the bright shapes began to stop and I tried to get out. I tried to get it off of my face, but the bright shapes were going again. They were going up the hill to where it fell away and I tried to cry. But when I breathed in, I couldn't breathe out again to cry, and I tried to keep from falling off the hill and I fell off the hill into the bright, whirling shapes. (1.700)
Benjy’s "trying to say" is a form of failed communication which the girls walking by his gate interpret as an assault. The confusion of his language at this point reflects the intensity and confusion of his emotions as he watches the girls pass.