Jason Richmond Lycurgus Compson III

Mr. Compson is Caroline's husband and the father of Quentin, Caddy, Benjy, and Jason. He is an alcoholic, a misogynist, and a nihilist. His views on sexuality seem to be taken up by Quentin; Mr. Compson says:

“Bad health is the primary reason for all life. Created by disease, within putrefaction, into decay” (44).

He seems to be saying that it is life which is created “within putrefaction.” Specifically, he seems to be saying that a women's reproductive system is putrefaction. Later, Quentin, thinks about sex:

“Liquid putrefaction like drowned things floating like pale rubber flabbily filled getting the odor of honeysuckle all mixed up” (128).

Here, Quentin uses the same word, “putrefaction,” that his father used to describe a woman's reproductive system, except this time he is thinking about a used condom. Similar examples of Mr. Compson's thinking being imprinted upon Quentin's psyche are abundant.

Compsons