Word Meaning in Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying

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Word Meaning in Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying

Throughout Faulkner’s novel, As I Lay Dying, a prominent difference between the characters Anse and Addie appears in his/her contrasting depiction of word meaning. According to the mother, Addie, words are bad and do not signify their designated meaning. In comparison, her husband, Anse, continually stresses and believes in his spoken promise or word to bury Addie in Jefferson. Incidentally, the juxtaposition between the two character’s theories of word meaning emphasizes an alternative comical view toward the burial of Addie. Her burial is sacred to the family due to the promise of the father’s word and yet based on Addie’s meaningless attempt at revenge toward her husband.

Addie’s depiction of words is very negative. She continually affirms, “words are no good; that words dont ever fit even what they are trying to say at” (171). Apparently, she doesn’t hold any truth in words and sees them as spaces of void. She states, “I knew that that word was like the others: just a shape to fill a lack; that when the right time came, you wouldn’...

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