Faulkner starts his chapter with Benjy, who is mentally disabled. Faulkner starts the chapter with Benjy for a couple of reasons. A really interesting one is that in Benjy's chapter, the time switches constantly. It goes from past to present to second past, etc. A bit confusing, yes, but it also brings up an interesting idea: that time is insignificant. Mainly this applies to Benjy, however it could also be an engaging thought about life as a whole. Benjy also starts the book becasue seeing things through his eyes make the story unbiased. Benjy has no opinions (about most things) and his narration allows the reader to make their own conclusions about certain characters without being influenced by the character who is narrating. Benjy also symbolizes innocence, complete and utter innocence. His chapter gives us a contrast to the other characters. The other characters are by no means innocent, but Benjy is the personification of innocence. His complete innocence is so different from all the other characters that it is startling. His chapter is started with in Faulkner's book for all the reasons listed above, and probably a whole lot more that I'm not sure about.

Benjy could be fulfilling a symbolic role. He is 33 and it is the week before Easter. This is intentional, however I don't know if that makes Benjy a christ figure. Ineresting thought, though. Could he be salvation in disguise unbeknowst to the family? The only "clean" (to take a phrase from Haze Motes) one there. He is the only uncorrupt person in his family, the only innocent one. The saying goes "innocence is bliss." (It might actually be ignorance. I'm not sure. However ignorance and innocence can both be applied to Benjy and can also be related.)

Poor Benjy is viewed as the "curse" on the family. He is the stain on the 'great' line of ancestors. That is why his mother changes his name. She can't bear to have him have the name of his most noble (and also alcholic) uncle from her proud lineage! That would be a disgrace to even associate Benjy with her line. This is a horrible way of thinking about things, I know. However it is very southern. His moher views Benjy's disabilities as her fault, suffering form some unnown sin. I love how Benjy's view on the family is so clear from opinion's. No prejuidices, just hard facts. There is no favortism or any sugar coating of facts. Benjy is a very reliable narrator because he can't twist things to be seen in a different light. He is merely a reporter.

Benjy longs for consistency. He can't comprehend change and so he wants everything to stay the same as it was. The past is a happier time for Benjy, becasue of Caddy's presence, and so he wants things to stay the same as in the past. The important things for him, like Caddy and his comfort items (old slipper, fire, etc.) make him feel safe when he can't understand the new things. Also without the help of Caddy's guidance, Benjy feels lost. He doesn't want change becasue stability is all he can understand by himself. Change is scary when you can't understand why, or how. Safety lies in order for Benjy.