Anse Bundren In Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

Anse Bundren is the father and husband in William Faulkner’s 1930 novel “As I Lay Dying.” Anse is a “ignorant and poor white man” (“As I Lay Dying”). “Addie’s husband”, Anse, starts off being “afraid that the boys might not get back in time” (Atchity). Anse wants his sons to return, so he does not have to carry his wife’s “body to the Jefferson graveyard” (Atchity). Anse gets “across the river on ruins of the bridge” and leaves his older sons to get the wagon across (Atchity). Anse “refuses to borrow mules” because he wants “to own the team that carries Addie” (Atchity). He “makes a trade” to give Jewel’s horse in return for the mules (Atchity). Anse would rather turn “Darl over to the authorities” than pay for the damage (Atchity). Anse borrows

The children learn “Anse’s true reason for the trip” (“As I Lay Dying”). His reasons surprise the children when they learn about Anse’s “set of false teeth” and the woman “whom he marries” (“As I Lay Dying”). Anse was with Addie for their “sexual relationship” which he believed “means love” (“As I Lay Dying”). Addie’s “disillusionment with Anse” is what lead to Jewel being born (Butchart). Shortly after their mother’s death, Anse “brings his new wife to meet his children” (Butchart). He acts “in a non-emotional way” towards Addie’s death (Butchart). In fact, Anse “is focused on his own needs” instead of his family’s needs (Butchart). Anse “feigned sadness” when his wife died. Anse only makes “the funeral trip” because he “feels bound to” “bury her in Jefferson” (Butchart). Anse shows his dedication to Addie’s promise by saying “I don’t begrudge her it” (Faulkner 163). Anse acts sad about his wife’s death because “society demands it” (Butchart). After Addie is buried, Anse is heard saying “Now I can get them teeth” (Faulkner 52). Anse buys his teeth using “Dewey Dell’s abortion money” (Butchart). Anse shows no emotion towards Addie’s death because he “does not really care about Addie”