These
logarithmic graphs were contributed by Joel Deshaye, based on word counts
from the Norton edition of the novel. They show how several key scenes
in "June Second, 1910" follow the traditional dramatic structure of rising
action, climax, and dénouement. The early scenes have small word
counts and then they are followed by a much larger climactic scene (which
may be followed by a short dénouement), showing that the apparently
disordered narrative often conforms to traditional structures when closely
examined. This graph assumes that there is a proportional relationship
between length (by word count) and drama for scenes in Quentin's section.
In fact, in Faulkner's narrative in general, drama and disclosure are often
proportional, because much of the reader's excitement derives from the
gradual understanding made possible by a series of narrative disclosures.