As I Lay Dying Literary Analysis

In the novel “As I Lay Dying” William Faulkner shows how life can be a burden especially for the less fortunate. The Bundrens are a family of a low social class who embark on a journey to bury their mother and wife Addie Bundren. Initially, the family received help from their neighbors of equal and slightly higher social class, however when they began to encounter towns inhabited by wealthier people it became apparent they were not welcome. Turning their faces and helping hands away, the townspeople were not overjoyed to see the Bundren’s run-down wagon that smelt strongly of their mother’s rotting corpse. “the folks backed off with handkerchiefs to their faces,”(365). Humans are blinded not only by what social class they are in, but what those

Pa is too prideful to see that his own family is struggling and falling apart in front of his blinded eyes. Even as Addie was dying he did not send for the doctor because he did not want to ask for a free handout. Yet, when the coffin is not finished and Ma has died, he tells Cash “‘There is Christians enough to help you… they will help us in our sorrow,’”(280). He only expects help, because of their strong faith, and their duties to help the misfortunate. He takes advantage not only of them but his family as well. Pa tries to verify not calling the doctor because "Hit was jest one thing and then another," he says. "Dewey Dell a-takin’ good keer of her, and folks comin’ in, a-offerin’ to help and sich, till I jest thought…" [peabody says], "Damn the money, Did you ever hear of me worrying a fellow before he was ready to pay?" (11.16-7), When in reality Pa simply did not ask for care from Peabody because he is a doctor and is a higher social standing than his family. This shows pa’s shame in asking for the help from people who are above him in social status and his unwillingness to admit that he needs the help from others in order to survive. From the moment Addie died, Pa begins to envision his new life. Pa sees his late wife’s death as an opportunity for new teeth and a chance to remarry. Whether or not Pa turned down people because he was ashamed or prideful or just plain ignorant, it is grossly apparent that his character embodies that of selfishness. He guilts his family into giving him what he wants, making Jewel trade his horse complaining that “For fifteen years I ain’t had a tooth in my head... and me saving a nickel here and a nickel there so my family wouldn't suffer. I thought that if I could do without eating,