As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

11/6-11/15 (pages 1-32)

Journal: Written in 1930, “As I Lay Dying,” by William Faulkner illustrates the lives of the Bunren family, who farm cototn. The book is introduced in the fictional county of Yoknapatawpha, Mississippi in the 1920s in the midst of the death of the family mother, Addie Bundran. The novel is made up of a mixed narrative of a multitude of characters, who take turns narrating the story. Each character’s personality is perceived by a different writing style and viewpoint, which makes the story unique but also confusing because of the changing narrators. The first narrative is told by Darl, one of Addie’s sons. He speaks in concise sentences, and yet describes objects in much detail; “The cotton house is of rough logs, from between which the chinking has long fallen. Square, with a broken roof set at a single pitch, it leans in empty and shimmering dilapidation in the sunlight, a single broad window in two opposite walls giving onto the approaches of the path” (Faulkner 3). He also describes the actions of other characters, including his brother making his mother’s coffin in anticipation of her death. He does not seem shaken by her death, which surprised me, as I expected more emotion from a character who knows his mother is dying; “Addie Bundren could not want a better one, better box to lie in. It will give her confidence and comfort. I go on to the house, followed by the chuck, chuck, chuck, of the adze” (Faulkner 3). The chapters continue with multiple narratives all describing the lives of the Bundrens along with some of the townsfolk and their reactions to the upcoming death of Annie Bundren.

Predictions: Given that Darl is the first narrator, I am predicting he will have a large role in the story. I think the novel will be philosophical and insightful of death, based on the novel’s title “As I Lay Dying.” There seems to be a lot of drama surrounding the upcoming death, especially coming from Jewel, another son of Annie. He expresses his frustrations, especially concerning Cash, his brother, and his decision to make Annie’s coffin outside her window; “It’s because he stays out there, right under the window, hammering and sawing on that goddam box. Where she’s got to see him. Where every breath she draws is full of his knocking and sawing where she can see him saying see. See what a good one I am making for you” (Faulkner 13). The tensions will probably rise between characters, and especially between Jewel and Cash.

Commentary: Having access to each character’s thoughts allows the reader to experience a variety of emotions. The reader is able to have a connection with each and every character, unlike many books. The main theme in the novel seems to be death, and the many confusing emotions surrounded by it. The characters all respond in a different manner to the impending death in the family, showing that every person reacts to death in a different way; “And now the others sitting there, like buzzards. Waiting, fanning themselves. Because I said if you wouldn’t keep on sawing and nailing at it until a man can’t sleep…I said if you’d just let her alone” (Faulkner 20).