As I Lay Dying Questions and Answers
As I Lay Dying
What is the function of the italics in the "Darl" sections of As I Lay Dying?
In the "Darl" sections of As I Lay Dying, italics serve various functions, including representing danger and Jewel, rather than memory or private thought. They might indicate Darl's "connection" with...
As I Lay Dying
Interpretations of Vardaman's metaphors in As I Lay Dying
Vardaman's metaphors in As I Lay Dying reflect his struggle to comprehend his mother's death. His comparison of her to a fish illustrates his attempt to make sense of mortality and existence, showing...
As I Lay Dying
What literary devices are used in As I Lay Dying?
The literary devices used in As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner include allusion, foreshadowing, symbolism, diction, multiple narrators, unreliable narration, and stream-of-consciousness. The title...
As I Lay Dying
Did Anse know about Addie's infidelity?
Yes, I think that Addie was unfaithful to Anse with a local man. Anse was aware of this because Addie told him that he had nothing to do with the conception of Jewel. I don't think Anse would care...
As I Lay Dying
What's a good thesis statement for "As I Lay Dying"?
To write a thesis statement about existentialism in As I Lay Dying, consider that the novel explores existential themes of being and belonging as the characters struggle in their way to finding...
As I Lay Dying
Who is Jewel's father in As I Lay Dying, and why is this significant?
In As I Lay Dying, Jewel's biological father is Reverend Whitfield, not Anse Bundren, which creates significant tension in the story. This hidden parentage leads to Jewel being treated as an...
As I Lay Dying
Why does Addie refer to Jewel as her salvation in "As I Lay Dying"?
Addie refers to Jewel as her salvation because he is the product of her love affair with Whitfield, not her loveless marriage to Anse. This makes Jewel a symbol of spiritual salvation from her empty...
As I Lay Dying
What does Addie's father mean by "the reason for living was to get ready to stay dead a long time" in As I Lay Dying?
In As I Lay Dying, Addie's father means that life is a preparation for death, highlighting the theme of mortality. He suggests that in their harsh world, death can be a release from suffering, and...
As I Lay Dying
What are some allusions in As I Lay Dying?
In As I Lay Dying, Faulkner employs biblical and classical allusions. Biblical references include phrases like "love that passeth understanding" and "ere a sparrow that falls," from the Bible....
As I Lay Dying
What does Cash's list of thirteen reasons for beveling the coffin's edges reveal about him?
Cash's list of thirteen reasons for beveling the coffin's edges reveals his meticulous nature and difficulty in dealing with his mother's death. He focuses on technical details to avoid confronting...
As I Lay Dying
What role do "buzzards" play in As I Lay Dying, particularly in Jewel's mind?
In "As I Lay Dying," buzzards symbolize both the decay of Addie's body and the selfish motivations of the Bundren family members, who use her death to pursue personal goals. For Jewel, the buzzards...
As I Lay Dying
Modernist elements in As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying showcases Modernist elements through its fragmented narrative structure, multiple perspectives, and stream-of-consciousness technique. These elements reflect the complexity of human...
As I Lay Dying
How does Anse Bundren, a seemingly feckless character, command obedience and generosity from others, and what is the...
Anse Bundren's ability to command obedience and generosity stems from his complete helplessness, which elicits a strong need in others to feel useful and needed. His family respects the institution...
As I Lay Dying
Who is the most heroic character in "As I Lay Dying" and how is heroism portrayed?
In "As I Lay Dying," heroism is portrayed through contrasting characters, particularly Cash and Anse. Cash exemplifies traditional heroism with his stoic duty, crafting his mother's coffin and...
As I Lay Dying
What is the significance of the chapter where Cash makes the coffin on a bevel in As I Lay Dying?
Cash's decision to make the coffin on a bevel shows how he is making connections in his mind that are logical but not rational. This chapter reinforces the novel's two central concepts, family and...
As I Lay Dying
In As I Lay Dying, why does Darl call Jewel's mother a horse?
Darl calls Jewel's mother a horse to symbolize Jewel's unique bond with both his horse and his mother. Unlike his siblings, Jewel is the product of an affair, making him distinct. His mother's wild,...
As I Lay Dying
What do the buzzards represent in As I Lay Dying?
In As I Lay Dying, buzzards symbolize death and those who exploit it. Jewel compares his siblings to buzzards, suggesting they are waiting for their mother's death. The increasing presence of...
As I Lay Dying
How does the multi-perspective approach in As I Lay Dying influence reading, and what might Faulkner's intent be?
The multi-perspective approach in As I Lay Dying offers readers fifteen different realities, emphasizing the complexity and subjectivity of human experience. Faulkner's intent appears to be a deep...
As I Lay Dying
Is "As I Lay Dying" a tragedy or a comedy?
Darl’s view of Jewel is that he is “a salamander in the fire, a fish in water.” Jewel is the only one who seems to be aware that Addie is actually dead. Anse says, “You talk like a old woman.” To...
As I Lay Dying
Grotesque characteristics and prominent social issues in As I Lay Dying
In As I Lay Dying, grotesque characteristics include the decaying corpse of Addie Bundren and the physical and mental deformities of various characters. Prominent social issues addressed are poverty,...
As I Lay Dying
Why does Dewey Dell intensely hate Darl in As I Lay Dying?
Dewey Dell intensely hates Darl because he knows her secret—her pregnancy—without her having to tell him, due to their shared intuitive communication ability. She fears he might reveal this to their...
As I Lay Dying
What details highlight the socio-economic differences between the Bundrens and the Tulls?
In the opening paragraph of the novel, Darl describes his brother Jewel as having a hat that is "frayed and broken" (3). This is the first sign of poverty for us as readers. We learn later on that...
As I Lay Dying
How dysfunctional is the Bundren family in As I Lay Dying?
The Bundren family exhibits extreme dysfunction, comparable to tragic families in classic literature. Addie is a nihilist who manipulates her family even after death. Anse, self-serving and...
As I Lay Dying
What is the significance of Darl's thoughts on sleep, being, and not being in Faulkner's As I Lay Dying? How does...
Darl's reflections on sleep, being, and not being highlight his intuitive nature and Faulkner's use of stream of consciousness. Through Darl, Faulkner explores dual realities—internal and...
As I Lay Dying
What is the most ironic aspect of Addie's burial in As I Lay Dying?
In As I Lay Dying, the most ironic aspect of Addie’s actual burial is that she’s buried in a wedding dress. This is ironic because a wedding dress is traditionally associated with new beginnings, not...
As I Lay Dying
How does Dewey Dell explain her pregnancy in "As I Lay Dying"?
Dewey Dell explains her pregnancy by rationalizing that it was not her fault. She believes it was inevitable due to a pact with Lafe while picking cotton. Lafe manipulated the situation by adding his...
As I Lay Dying
Describe the relationship between Cash and Jewel in As I Lay Dying.
Cash and Jewel have a complex relationship marked by contrasting personalities and priorities. Cash is responsible and self-sacrificing, dutifully building Addie's casket, which Jewel resents,...
As I Lay Dying
How is Darl a tragic hero in William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying?
Darl Bundren is a tragic hero in Faulkner's As I Lay Dying because his strengths, particularly his insight and psychic abilities, lead to his downfall. The novel can be considered a tragedy as it...
As I Lay Dying
How does Addie's maternal influence on the children differ from Anse's paternal influence in As I Lay Dying?
Addie's maternal influence is marked by emotional detachment and isolation, showing affection mainly towards Jewel, and lacking connection with her other children. In contrast, Anse's paternal...
As I Lay Dying
Character Development in "As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner
In "As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner, character development is conveyed through multiple perspectives and internal monologues. Each character's unique voice and motivations are revealed as they...
As I Lay Dying
How is Cash Bundren portrayed as a hero in As I Lay Dying?
Cash is selfless and compassionate, but he is also rational. He is respectful to his parents, protective of his siblings, and considerate towards others. Cash’s other significant heroic act occurs...
As I Lay Dying
How does Faulkner's use of stream of consciousness contribute to the tone of As I Lay Dying?
Faulkner's use of stream of consciousness in As I Lay Dying contributes to a varied tone by presenting the inner thoughts and motivations of fifteen different narrators. This technique provides a...
As I Lay Dying
Explore the concepts of selfishness and selflessness in "As I Lay Dying".
In "As I Lay Dying," the theme of selfishness versus selflessness is prominent. Anse Bundren epitomizes selfishness, prioritizing personal desires like acquiring false teeth over honoring his wife's...
As I Lay Dying
Does Darl from "As I Lay Dying" deserve our sympathy or contempt?
Darl from "As I Lay Dying" deserves our sympathy due to his deep empathy for his family and the burdens he carries. He is the most perceptive character, understanding others' needs and seeking to...
As I Lay Dying
In As I Lay Dying, what does Faulkner's unconventional narrative style accomplish?
Faulkner's challenging narrative style is his attempt to reveal multiple consciousnesses and shifts in time and space. The reader must decide who is telling the truth, if any. In this way, Faulkner...
As I Lay Dying
Why does Cora Tull in Faulkner's As I Lay Dying believe Darl has a "natural affection" for his mother and disagrees...
Cora Tull believes Darl has a "natural affection" for his mother because she senses a unique bond between them, unlike his siblings. Darl's quiet, intense presence at his mother's deathbed suggests a...
As I Lay Dying
Which parts of "As I Lay Dying" contain elements of the grotesque?
The grotesque occurs throughout the story as the journey to bury Addie’s body is filled with many obstacles and bizarre circumstances. The decomposing corpse, the buzzards, and the smell of death are...
As I Lay Dying
Who is the unreliable narrator in As I Lay Dying who blames the road for his family's problems?
Anse Bundren is the unreliable narrator in As I Lay Dying who blames roads for his family's problems. He believes roads bring bad luck, higher taxes, and legal troubles, as well as taking people away...
As I Lay Dying
Does each member of the Bundren family get what they deserve by the end of the novel?
The children’s lives have been blighted by the family dysfunction and sense of entitlement. Each of them has suffered in different ways, with each suffering being more unjust than the last.
As I Lay Dying
Discuss the morality of actions in As I Lay Dying.
The morality of actions in As I Lay Dying leaves a lot to be desired. With the exception of making the trip to Jefferson to fulfill their wife and mother's dying wish, Anse and his children behave...
As I Lay Dying
How does the death motif function in As I Lay Dying by Faulkner?
In Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, the death motif is central, focusing on Addie Bundren's death and its impact on her family. The physical and spiritual presence of death causes her children to question...
As I Lay Dying
What is an example of skillful artistry in Faulkner's As I Lay Dying?
An example of skillful artistry in Faulkner's As I Lay Dying is found in Dewey Dell's perspective, showcasing stylistic innovation through varied sentence structures and vivid imagery. Faulkner...
As I Lay Dying
How would you write a thesis statement about Cash Bundren in As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner?
In addition to the superb answer above, you may want to focus on the style of Cash's narrations, his tools, and their relationship to his mother. Cash's duty toward his mother is utilitarian and...