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As I Lay Dying Literary Analysis

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William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying explores a plethora of complex and damaged characters through a family who is deeply rooted in the rural, old south. Dewey Dell, being the only female figure alive, has one of the most tragic and complex, yet realistic storylines of the whole novel. Her plate is full; she is concealing an unintentional pregnancy (and keeping it a secret from her family), grieving the loss of her mother, raped in the midst of trying to find an abortion drug, all while being forced to take over the matriarch role of the Budren family. A character like this is more dynamic than her dialogue lets off- she speaks for something much deeper and real during the time this book is set. Faulkner is suggesting that Dewey Dell represents women's quest for independence within the limitations of a southern patriarchal society. …show more content…

This was not an uncommon way for southern women to think; no matter the man, he could do anything for me. Yet, Lafe proved that to be untrue, forcing Dewey Dell to embark on her journey regardless of her preparedness or willingness. Because of this, Dewey Dell continued on the long and miserable odyssey to bury her mother in Jefferson with her family just to obtain an abortion drug. Women acting selfishly - which Dewey Dell has been described as during this exposition - was unheard of in the deep south at this time. Women tended to their families, were passionate about motherhood, and always looked out for those around them. In that way, Dewey Dell is the perfect representation of breaking the patriarchal southern system; she did not prioritize any of those things. In a male-dominated novel, Dewey Dell has still managed to make an established name and contribution for herself. While her life during this family voyage has been nothing short of brutal, she was created in Faulkner's perfect image to embody the strength and desire a woman had to have had in order to pursue freedom in the deep

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