We seldom see inside his mind thus, we must draw conclusions about him partly from how others view him. Sutpen's presentation is by circumlocution. The great paradox in the conception of the design and in Sutpen's character is that the design was conceived when the young Sutpen was insulted as the result of a strict caste system yet the design itself is constructed so as to embrace that very caste system which caused Sutpen's rejection. His devotion to his design borders on a monomania which determines and controls his every action. A central paradox to his character is that his own design collapsed because of Sutpen's constant insults to others and his own disregard for all ethical values. The motivating force in Sutpen's life is the design which he conceived to placate the insult to him at age fourteen.
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