honeysuckle



A pleasantly sweet-smelling but invasive species of flower, often associated with Spring. It was introduced to the American South in the early to mid-1800's. Honeysuckle can be white, yellow or red and resembles a trumpet as it begins to bloom.

Quentin references honeysuckle 28 times in the June 2 chapter of TSAF.

Honeysuckle may have been chosen by Faulkner for its symbolism within the [|Language of Flowers]. In floriography, Honeysuckle is [|widely understood] as a symbol of devoted affection, or the bonds of love. In TSAF, its repetition likely poses an ironic reference to Quentin's obsession with Caddy's purity, sanctity and inviolability.

//...after a while I turned went back to the edge of the woods as soon as I got there I began to smell honeysuckle again I could see the lights on the courthouse clock and the glare of town the square on the sky and the dark willows along the branch and the light in mothers windows the light still on in Benjys room and I stooped through the grass among the crickets the honeysuckle getting stronger and stronger and the smell of water then I could see the water the color of gray honeysuckle I lay down on the bank with my face close to the ground so I couldnt smell the honeysuckle I couldnt smell it// (TSAF 155-156).

[Casey Levinson] / Additions by [Matt Morrison]