The reader should note how swiftly the Jason section moves. Whereas Quentin's mind was complicated and terribly involved in the intricacies of life, the Jason section is relatively easy to understand. The only intricacies in which Jason is involved are those of cheating. And whereas Quentin's section moved slowly and deliberately, Jason's section is filled with fast-moving actions — the swift carriage, the chase, the rushing home with the false check.
Perhaps a note of clarification is needed about Jason's methods of cheating. Immediately after Mr. Compson's death, Jason came to his mother and told her that he would like to deposit his monthly wages in her name, but to do so he would need her power of attorney — that is, the power to sign her name to any legal document. Mrs. Compson, in her simplicity, thought that Jason was being very noble in giving her his check every month. As soon as he got the power of attorney, however, he talked his mother into burning "Caddy's checks." Little did she know that Jason would substitute a forged, or false, check in place of the one that Caddy sent and watch his mother burn it. He then deposited Caddy's check and let his mother think that it was his wages. He kept his wages and used them to keep his mistress in Memphis and to play the market. If he had not obtained his mother's power of attorney, he could never have used Caddy's money.
Furthermore, Mrs. Compson gave Jason a thousand dollars to buy a part share in Earl's hardware store, but Jason drew that money out without his mother's knowledge. Therefore, when Caddy's check is late getting to Jason, he has to tell his mother that his salary or share at the store has been held up because of some financial affair involving the store. His duplicity is complicated but easy to accomplish because Mrs. Compson's eyesight is bad and she never examines the checks closely; also, Jason always stands by her until she burns them. This is why Jason always tells Caddy to send any extra money that she wants Miss Quentin to have to her mother (because then Jason can cash the checks). But when a money order arrives one day, made out to Quentin, Jason has to get Quentin's signature on it before he can use it. Thus, in one sense, the money that Quentin steals from Jason's room rightfully belongs to her.
