Symbolism in As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner

The use of a symbol has the potential to add depth and meaning to a work of literature. With symbols, a writer can convey a complex idea using a single world. When used in a work of literature, a symbol has the ability to express the characters of the work as a whole. In his novel As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner uses an enveloping symbol of Cash’s tools in order to underline the development of the characters throughout the novel.

Cash’s carpentry tools are a symbol for the stability of the Bundren family as they go on their journey. The tools that appear throughout the novel have significance for Cash and the entire family especially when the tools become scattered as they cross the river. Cash’s tools can be portrayed as his desire to fix things significantly with his loved ones. Throughout the novel, Cash is characterized as a reserved man but expresses himself through his actions. He constantly shows himself as a caring and loving person who has mindfulness for his family. Cash has his prized tools wherever he goes and continuously works using his tools. He continuously works on his mothers coffin showing his loyalty and dedication to his mother and all of her hard work she did for her children.

On their journey, the Bundren family approaches a river by which they have the cross. As they are crossing the rushing river, a log interferes and causes disaster for the family. Throughout the chaos, Cash braces back holding Addie and his tools. This exemplifies his love for both his mother and tools and how they both are important to him.

The rest of Cash’s family understands his love for his tools and the significance of tools. During the chaotic crossing of the river, the tools become lost and Cash become injured and is unable t...

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...e and become closer and stronger.

It is evident that the tools as a symbol guides the entire novel revealing hidden meanings and helping to better understand each character. The tools in the novel display the hard work, love and unity of the Bundren family. Although at loss of their loving mother, the family is able to resolve individual problems and altercations with one another and in the end become one united family. In the novel, they lost themselves in the chaos of their mother’s death causing the Bundren family to fall apart. Ultimately, the family was able to work together throughout this devastating event and become an even closer and stronger family. The family parallels the tools when they become lost in the disaster of the crossing of the river. However, in the end both the tools and the family were able to return to each other and become united as one.