The quote from "The Sound and the Fury" reflects on the cultural attitudes towards virginity, particularly in the South. It suggests that men often lie about their sexual experiences, indicating a societal shame associated with virginity for women. The father's perspective implies that virginity is a construct created by men and that its value differs based on gender. He equates the loss of virginity to death, emphasizing that it is others who judge and define one’s worth based on this status.

The conversation reveals the pain and confusion surrounding the concept of virginity. The characters express a sense of sadness about how deeply these societal constructs affect individual identity and worth. The narrator's longing for things to be different highlights a broader theme of regret and the tragic nature of change, suggesting that some aspects of life may never be worth the sacrifice involved in altering them.