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
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.
William Faulkner, a Nobel Prize winning author, wrote the novel "As I Lay Dying" in six weeks without changing a word. Considering the story's intricate plot, not changing a single word seems like it would take a literary genius to complete. Many people agree that Faulkner could very well be a genius due to the organization of this story. Faulkner uses fifteen different characters to narrate and allow the reader to analyze each of their point of views. Through the confessions of each character, the reader is able to form his or her opinion about different characters and issues. Since some narrators are unreliable for different reasons, it could be confusing to form opinions. One character that is easily understood is Dewey Dell Bundren. She is the only daughter in the Bundren family and ends up being the only woman in the family. "As I Lay Dying", the story of a family's journey to bury their mother and wife, is also the story of Dewey Dell's journey toward maturity. Along their journey to bury their mother, the characters, like Dewey Dell, seem to evolve through their encounters with other people. Faulkner depicts Dewey Dell as a very monotonous person in the beginning of the book. In the beginning, Dewey Dell is seen fanning her mother, picking cotton, or milking cows. However, towards the end of the book, her repetitiveness is lost. Towards the end of the novel, Faulkner specifically shows Dewey Dell in numerous situations becoming a mature individual.
Yoknapatawpha County is a fictional county made up by William Faulkner in which As I Lay Dying takes place in; this is now the third novel to take place here. As I Lay Dying was one of the last novels written in the 1920’s by William Faulkner and within fifty-nine chapters, this novel features a unique narration of fifteen different first person narrators. Each chapter is written from that particular character’s perspective telling their version of what is happening in the novel, making this not only an interesting take on narration but a compelling read as well. Faulkner uses the characters use of language to help us identify and see glimpses into the lives of the Bundren family; through this we can understand the revenge and secrets from within the characters that is blind to the most if not all-remaining characters within the novel.
“God’s will be done, now I can get teeth,” Anse says after Addie’s death. To some people, it may seem weird that someone wants new teeth, and to others, it might make them wonder if he’s sad about his wife’s death. Anse Bundren, a middle-aged man, has a reputation of being a lazy and selfish person. But how does that play a role in As I Lay Dying? How has Anse’s relationship with his family, his wife, and himself affect the outcome of the story? Another thing about Anse is his view of Addie’s death. How has Anse Bundren become dead in the story, but is really still alive?
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.
He is opposed to the family sitting by the bed and watching Addie die and cash sawing away at Anse's 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. Imagery is an integral part of any narrative. The multiple narratives and cross observations made in As I Lay Dying are complex and they consist of many spectrums. Imagery alone can be sufficient to give the reader a rich sense of emotion, but when it symbolizes the themes of the story and reflects on the characteristics of the narrator, it is truly a masterpiece.
Addie is actually the perfect character to try and describe the lack or void of words and meanings. The very fact that she is dead and is talking about this void from the dead is important. In a way she is speaking from a void between life and death. Morna Flaum expresses this idea in her article, “Elucidating Addie Bundren in As I Lay Dying.” “Her condition of deadness, speaking from the void between is and not-is makes her the perfect vehicle for Faulkner to describe the indescribable, approach the unapproachable, express the inexpressible, as he so gracefully does, does-not. The placement of Addie’s chapter in the middle of her long journey from deathbed to grave is also significant.” Flaum goes on to say that this placement of Addie’s chapter
“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.
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
“As I Lay Dying” has to be one of the interesting stories I’ve read so far. This story is unique from lots of stories I’ve read because instead of telling the story in the form of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd point of view, this story gives the points of views from almost all the characters. There are many characters in the book, and you can’t tell what their connections are to each other at first, but after reading the story a bit more, you can tell what they are to each other. I believe the story has two main themes. The first theme being, how everyone is getting ready or Addie’s death.
Commonality in Themes Many novels share a common theme, this allows for literary connections to be made in order to further analyze the novels. For example, the three literary works that will be closely analyzed are; Fences,A Lesson before Dying, and Devil in a Blue Dress. Fences is a play written by playwright August Wilson, Fences is set in the 1950’s during the break in racial segregation. The play revolves around the current discrimination and the acts to overcome it in everyday life.
The novel As I Lay Dying (1930), by William Faulkner is based on the journey of the Bundren family across Yoknapatawpha County to Jefferson, Mississippi. They are on this trip to transport the body of the matriarch of the family, Addie Bundren, for burial. Addie lies dying as the novel’s start, hence the name of the book. Her wish is to be buried among her relatives in Jefferson, Mississippi. Once she dies and after her funeral service, the Bundrens start their trek to Jefferson.
A story of family, death, birth, adventure, and sadness, As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner is a truly intricate novel. It is based in the county of Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, and each chapter is the inner thoughts from one of the 15 characters. The novel is the story of a woman named Addie Bundren, who is withering away. The novel shows the evolution of the grief of the family she left behind when she passed. Her death provided many of her family members with the question “Does everything go away?”
William Faulkner's portrayal of women in As I lay dying presents an interesting look into gender roles of the south in the 1930s. Women are to follow social expectations such as the importance of marriage, motherhood, and limitations. The importance of marriage only applies to Addie even though her presence for most of the story is a corpse. Motherhood is evoked in the novel by both Dewey Dell and Addie. Dewey Dell is the only daughter of Addie and is evident she is too young to be a mother, but through her sexual desires she breaks southern ideologies and engages in sex before marriage which results in an unwanted pregnancy.