Genuine Benevolence Acts of humanitarianism do not confirm others theories of you will be positive. As shown throughout the novel As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner, the author presents the struggle between the altruistic and the narcissistic in major and minor techniques.The story consists of a family isolated in the country, who have to journey a harsh experience to bury their mother where she had wished. Using the Bundrens’, the family, as a battle against the opposing views from their surroundings and tells the story of the harsh endeavors faced along their journey. One of the family members, Jewel Bundren, displays how the alienation of him from his own kin exposes the neighboring moral values of his family. Which results in the idea that the premises of selfishness and selflessness can become apparent through one’s actions, not others beliefs For the duration of the novel, through society’s and The Bundrens’ eyes, Jewel is viewed as a ferocious and careless young man that has no capability of caring for anyone other than his own self. For example, Cora Vernon, a close family friend, portrays Jewel as being this greedy son, she states “But nothing would do but Anse and Jewel must make that three dollars. Nobody that knows Anse …show more content…
The next example being him giving up the only thing in the world he owned and worked for, his horse. In order to continue on the journey of burying Addie, his mother, Jewel’s father chose to sell Jewel’s horse instead of giving up something of his own, and also stole Cash’s money to fund this trip. However, it was not for Addie, but for his own desires of buying himself teeth where Addie wishes to be buried. This reckless act of Anse highlights how passive Jewel became having to sell his horse; he knew it was the only way to fulfill his mother’s preference, so instead of fighting he put it past him
A character that was admirable in the novel “we all fall down” is John. John is the father of Will who is the main character, they spend nearly the entire story together looking for a way out of the world trade center during the 9/11 attacks. During the story you learn that John is very smart, brave, and respected. These are all characteristics which play a crucial role in saving lives such as his co-workers and a random lady they find on the way named ting, but mainly in the ending John and Will successfully escape.
After reading the novel As I Lay Dying, I was able to gather some first impressions about Jewel Bundren. One of these impressions is that Jewel Bundren is aware that Anse Bundren is not his father,. One reason why this is evident is because when Jewel half brother, Darl, is questioning him about who his father is, Jewel doesn’t answer, meaning he might know that he isn’t related to Anse. Another reason this is evident is due to the way Jewel acts when he is talking to Anse, as he is continuously disrespectful to him. Even though it’s shown Jewel is aware that Anse is not his father, there is no indication in the novel that he is aware that Whitfield is really his father. Another first impression I was able to gather about Jewel
In As I Lay Dying (1930), Faulkner creates the deceitful, insensitive character, Anse Bundren, who will do anything to get what he wants, even if it means stealing and injuring his own children, symbolizing the avarice and apathy that can result from a world of non education, poverty, and overall suffering.
He has treated his family poorly, because he puts himself first. Examples include Dewey Dell’s abortion money being stolen and Jewel’s horse being bargained. Anse’s attitude toward life is terrible. He wakes up everyday wanting to have a better life, then pities about the life he has now. He bases his decision with living the life he has, on God. He expects a reward in Heaven, in return for the life he has now. His relationship with his wife is very interesting. Normally, when a wife is dying in bed, the husband goes out of his way to be with her and pray maybe. But Anse on the other hand has been with her, and pretended that he was sad, but in his mind, is glad that she is passing away. The fact that he had found another wife by the end of the story tells me that he has gotten over her. The biggest problem that Anse really has is his selfishness. He puts himself first over anything and everyone. He wants new teeth, but in order to get them, Addie must be dead. He must also steal money because he doesn’t want to earn any for himself. Since he didn’t work, the family lives in a lower status house, giving them all the reputation of being hillbillies. Unfortunately, Anse really doesn’t change throughout the novel. He starts off as selfish and lazy, and ends selfish and lazy. Not only that, he finds a new wife, and introduces her to the family. According to Anse’s mind, he deserves Heaven, but I don’t believe it will be easy for him to get there because of all the things he has done. The point of living is to do things for the common good, but that is not displayed in Anse. He does not live out his life, but somewhat lives out his life as “dead.” Being dead is not trying in life. Anse doesn’t try to do anything for others, but only himself. His view on working is going to come back to bite him. He may have a vision in his mind that he’s going to Heaven but in true reality, he will find out that it may take a
Darl Darl, the second child of Anse and Addie Bundren is the most prolific voice in the novel As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner. Darl Bundren, the next eldest of the Bundren children, delivers the largest number of interior monologues in the novel. An extremely sensitive and articulate young man, he is heartbroken by the death of his mother and the plight of his family's burial journey. Darl seemed to possess a gift of clairvoyance, which allowed him to narrate; for instance, the scene of Addie's death. Even though he and Jewel were away at the time.
Jewel, Addie's second favorite next to Cash, seems to be cursed by his callous mother.
... there is a direct correlation between Jewel's treatment of his horse and his ambitions. He is opposed to the family sitting by the bed and watching Addie die and cash sawing away at Anse' coffin. But at the same time he tells Darl to shut up when Darl raises an objection to the three dollar trip Addie tells them to make.
In As I Lay Dying the Bundren family faces many hardships dealing with death and physical nature. Nature plays a major role in moving Faulkner’s story. Nature takes a toll on the family in their time of despair of losing a loved one. They are challenged by human nature and the nature of the elements. Throughout the story the family overcomes the human nature of emotions and the nature of the weather. They face nature in the most peculiar ways, like a flood that keeps them from crossing, the decaying body of Addie, and how they all grieve over the death of Addie; Dewey Dell said, “I heard that my mother is dead. I wish I had time to let her die. I wish I had time to wish I had” (Faulkner 110). The forces of nature compete with the Burden family.
Thomas Paine once said “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” Conflict is an obstacle that many characters in books go through. It is what drives the reader to continue reading and make the book enjoyable. Additionally, authors use symbolism to connect their novels to real life, personal experience, or even a life lesson. In “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest J. Gaines, both take place during a time where colored people were being looked down upon and not treated with the same rights as white people. However, both novels portray the conflict and symbolism many ways that are similar and different. Additionally, both of these novels have many similarities and differences that connect as well as differentiate them to one
“As I Lay Dying, read as the dramatic confrontation of words and actions, presents Faulkner’s allegory of the limits of talent” (Jacobi). William Faulkner uses many different themes that make this novel a great book. Faulkner shows his talent by uses different scenarios, which makes the book not only comedic but informational on the human mind. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner is a great book that illustrates great themes and examples. Faulkner illustrates different character and theme dynamics throughout the entire novel, which makes the book a humorous yet emotional roller coaster. Faulkner illustrates the sense of identity, alienation, and the results of physical and mental death to show what he thinks of the human mind.
She often leaves situations where she is starting to make a life of her own, when she would have to provide for herself. The author writes “She had been to college, several actually, but she had never stayed long enough to earn any degrees” (53). She flees whenever the opportunity of a man comes her way, when in front of her she chooses to go for it without thinking of the repercussions. The author states, “The day Jewel graduated high school, she had run away from her family’s overcrowded Robert Taylor Homes apartment and into the arms of a hefty truck driver who promised to show her the Grand Canyon” (53). It seems after graduating, a time when most people are ready to become adults; she runs away form the responsibility. Jewel frequently sexualizes herself to pull
One of the main themes in As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner is the concept of isolation and loneliness of not just the characters in the book, but humanity itself. Each character is essentially isolated from all the others, as the plot is told through each of the characters’ perspectives through stream of consciousness. As a result of Faulkner’s use of multiple narratives, the reader does not attain an objective third person viewpoint of everything that occurs. The closest the reader gets to an omniscient narrator is Darl Bundren as he is able to relate events that occur while not having been present at the time. Although the Bundrens live together as well as make the journey to Jefferson, it is through their inherent isolation and loneliness that they cannot effectively communicate with each other which ultimately leads to Darl’s fateful actions.
Many mothers, regardless of age or situation, share sympathetic life ideals. They all share the common goal of raising their children wholesome; they want to create an environment of love, nurture, and support for their children as well. A mother’s effort to implant good values in her children is perpetual; they remain optimistic and hope that their children would eventually become prosperous. However, some women were not fit to be mothers. Thus, two different roles of a mother are portrayed in As I Lay Dying written by William Faulkner. Faulkner uses the literary technique of first person narrative with alternating perspectives. By doing so, Faulkner adds authenticity and the ability to relate (for some) to the two characters Addie Bundren and Cora Tull. The first person narrative acts as an important literary technique because it allows the reader to experience the opposing views of Addie and Cora; they are both mothers who act as foils to each other because of their diverse opinions and outlooks on motherhood, religion and life.
In E.E. Cummings poem “dying is fine) but Death”, the poet talks about the the ever discussed topic about dying and Death itself. Cummings talks about how dying is something to look forward to and how it is inevitable, from the moment we are born, to the fateful day it occurs. I agree with this analysis and the author’s analysis of the poem. Cummings uses his legendary shape style to form “dying is fine) but Death” to show how life begins. He may have wanted to symbolize the start of life with “o baby” which if you look at the paper version of the book, “o baby” is split up and very small compared to other sentences in the poem, signifying the start of someone’s life. When the middle of the poem starts to appear, the word “why?” pops up. This could signify the middle of someone’s life, or the “why” that many of us began to ask ourselves this question when we realize that not
Although Jewel is the most pugnacious of the family, he proves to be the most selfless through relinquishing his beloved horse and rescuing Addie from the fire. Perhaps this can be attributed to Addie’s presage that he would save her from “fire and water”. Or perhaps he’s the only Bundren without hedonistic ulterior motives. For example, Dewey Dell yearns to visit Jefferson to abort her child, Cash brings his toolbox to earn money, and Anse lusts after his fake teeth. All of these characters utilize the journey as an excuse to accomplish their own intentions. But then again, Addie’s dying wish is not devoid of selfish ulterior motives