Themes: The Nature of Life and Death

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In an early monologue, Cora Tull asks her husband, Vernon, a thought-provoking question: If Addie values being buried with her relatives so much, "Then why didn't she go alive?" This inquiry introduces a central theme of the novel: the essence of life and death. Addie’s monologue, which addresses Cora’s question, takes place not only well after Addie’s death but also following a treacherous river crossing. This crossing results in the drowning of two mules, nearly drowns her sons Darl and Cash, and severely worsens Cash’s already injured leg. Essentially, it occurs after her family has made significant efforts to fulfill her supposed sacred wish—to be laid to rest with her relatives nearly 40 miles away, instead of with Anse’s Bundren family at New Hope cemetery, which is less than three miles away.

The novel explores the concepts of life and death through Addie's interactions with Anse, examining the contrast between his words and actions, while other characters also contribute to this theme. Vardaman, Addie’s youngest son, catches a large fish around the time of his mother's death, associating the two events in his mind. He connects the act of catching and cleaning the fish with his mother's demise. In an effort to counteract death, Vardaman drills holes in her coffin so she can breathe and imagines her swimming in the river when the wagon carrying her body is overturned by a flood.

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