As I Lay Dying Theme Essay

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In William Faulkner’s southern gothic, As I Lay Dying, the idiosyncratic Bundrens embark on an arduous, 40-mile journey to bury their mother (while simultaneously pursuing their own esurient needs). However, the irony and tragedy of the Bundren’s excursion separates it from other archetypal heroic quests. This ironic journey, which serves as the impetus of all the Bundren’s future affliction, expatiates upon three fundamental themes: ironic yet heroic deeds, selfishness and selflessness, and hatred within the family. From Vardaman accidentally stabbing his mother’s corpse to Darl and Anse cementing Cash’s leg, the Bundren’s journey is brimming with a surfeit of heroic acts gone wrong. Before the journey even begins, for example, Vardaman, because he believes Addie can’t breathe, “bored [holes] on into her face.” This deed, while heroic, is completely ironic, because the reader knows Vardaman’s intentions are pure; however, we didn’t expect him to mutilate Addie, an action antithetical to our expectations. Additionally, the whole journey in of itself is ironic because Addie admits her wish to be buried in Jefferson is merely an artifice to get her family to DO something rather …show more content…

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

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