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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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With the exception of Anse, the end of As I Lay Dying leaves all of the Bundrens worse for wear. Darl has been exiled because he is believed to be insane. Similarly, the skin has to be removed from Cash’s leg, Jewel has lost his horse and his last connection to the family, Vardaman is more confused than ever, and Dewey Dell remains pregnant. Despite all of this, Anse’s condition is better than it has ever been. He has purchased teeth, has visited a barbershop, and has come out of all of this with a new wife.

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Faulkner composites a family that is far away from perfect, instead the family members each face a tribulation that connects to the death their mother. With the supporting passages Faulkner demonstrates how the novel, As I Lay Dying fulfill his own vision of the writer’s duty, which is to express the problems by appealing to pathos, introducing relatable problems, and discussing family dynamics. Faulkner fulfills the writer’s duty by introducing problems the writers can relate to. Faulkner inspires readers to write about, “problems of the human heart... with itself which can make good writing...because that is only worth the sweat agony” (Faulkner 14-15).

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In the novel, As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner shapes the plot based on the looming presence of the absentee protagonist, Addie Bundren. The reader’s knowledge of Addie accumulates through the monologues of other characters, so the reader gains only bits and pieces of Addie’s character. However, after her death, the reader obtains a better understanding of Addie’s voice through her own monologue and as a result, is characterized as cold and selfish. Through the use of similes and interior monologue, Faulkner shows Addie’s tendency to detach herself from the people in her life, which relates to the novel’s overall theme of solitude as Addie adheres to her father’s philosophy that the reason for living is no more than “to get ready to stay dead a long time” (169).

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In many literary classics, we see many uses of literary devices, usually to portray or enhance a theme of the book. In William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, there are many themes and many devices to depict them. But the narration/POV of different characters serves to affect the reader’s perspective, especially on the theme of family and honor- or lack thereof.

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