Jim Bond is an interesting character that is often
overlooked when discussing the broader themes of the novel. The grand-son of Charles Bon, Jim is
described as somewhat of a lowly "idiot", with mixed-blood from his negro
mother. By the end of the novel,
Jim Bond is the only remaining male in the Sutpen family line. After the Clytie set flame to Sutpen’s
Hundred, Bond disappeared while the house burned to the ground, taking Clytie
and Henry Sutpen with it.
During our last class we discussed the cyclical nature of
the novel in how the plot progresses over time. Faulkner did not simply create Jim Bond’s character just for
the sake of doing so, but instead used him in an effort to bring the novel
full-circle. One of the chapters
in the book is devoted to describing the life Thomas Sutpen came from in
Virginia, showing how he came from a very poor family with a low social
status. After seeing the life of
the plantation owner he sets out to build his own empire and achieves his goal
until it is brought down by the very corruption it was created with. One of the only characters who remain
at the end of this downfall is Jim Bond, whose wealth and intelligence is most
likely equivalent to that of Thomas Sutpen’s parents during his childhood. Faulkner used Bond’s character to
illustrate how Sutpen came from nothing and created a name for himself, only
for one man to remain, who is the epitome of everything Sutpen spent his life
trying to escape.
I agree that Jim Bon plays an important part in this novel. I think the cyclical nature of Jim Bon is a key and central idea. He is the last male heir and he is central to the themes of the book. He is the essence of both sides of the Sutpen family as he is biracial. He encompasses the conflict in the family. He shows the complexities of who the family is, their struggles with race and class, and their tendency to have the past influence the future. Jim Bon disappears at the end but it seems like it’s not forever.
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