As I Lay Dying Literary Analysis

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The multiple-narrator structure of the novel As I Lay Dying, written by William Faulkner, enhances the novels underlying meaning. The novel, which recounts the death and burial of Addie Bundren, is told through the eyes of fifteen different narrators. Each narrator reacts to the tragedy differently, majority of which are seeking out how it can benefit themselves. The various points of view, reveals the harsh truth that few people truly cared about Addie’s death. Her death exposes the true nature of those around her, and their selfish motives. The inclusion of an abundance of narrators in As I lay Dying contributes to the complex structure of the novel. While it can be overbearing at times, this structure is successful in conveying the themes and message of the novel. Each narrator tells the story from their own perspective …show more content…

The family embarks on an epic journey to the town of Jefferson, encountering obstacles and trials at every turn. The novel is best described as a satire of an epic journey, and the themes and message reflect this. Themes such as the theme of family are present throughout various narrations, but not in traditional sense. The Bundren family is the epitome of a dysfunctional family as shown by narrators such as Anse. Anse appears to have good intentions, but is secretly motivated by his desire to get false teeth. He agrees to carry out his wife’s final wish to be buried in the town of Jefferson Mississippi, as he knows he can get a new pair of teeth there. To add insult to injury when the family finally reaches their destination, he remarries. Family is supposed to be a strong binding aspect, in which each member looks out for each other, but each Bundren has their own goal. Instead of wishing to fulfill their mothers dying wish, they seek to fulfill their own selfish desires proving few truly cared

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