The Faulknerian Sense of Time (2)

Time’s not such a bad thing after all. Use it right, and you can stretch anything out, like a rubberband, until it busts somewhere, and there you are, with all tragedy and despair in two little knots between thumb and finger of each hand.

Sanctuary (1931)
written by William Faulker

Calendars wont do for measuring time. They ought to be made of elastic, to shrink or stretch according to how much or how little goes in them. Nine days can be half a lifetime.

Follow Me Down (1950)

written by Shelby Foote

The Faulknerian Sense of Time

It was Grandfather's [watch] and when Father gave it to me he said I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire [...] I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend all of your breath trying to conquer it. Because no battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools.
The Sound and the Fury (1929)
written by William Faulkner


If you could just ravel out into time. That would be nice. It would be nice if you could just ravel out into time.
As I Lay Dying (1930)
written by William Faulker


Time’s not such a bad thing after all. Use it right, and you can stretch anything out, like a rubberband, until it busts somewhere, and there you are, with all tragedy and despair in two little knots between thumb and finger of each hand.
Sanctuary (1931)
written by William Faulker