A Glimpse into the Bundren Family: The Characters of “As I Lay Dying”

The avant-garde book "As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner, which is set in the American South and is recounted from many points of view, explores the complicated relationships within the Bundren family. Each member of the family offers a different perspective through which readers may understand the complexities of their common familial relationships as they set out on their hard trip to bury their dead mother, Addie Bundren. The variety of the personalities emphasizes the overriding subject of isolation within family connections, as do their unique reasons and problems. This essay offers a concise exploration of the major characters in William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying", emphasizing their unique contributions to the novel's intricate narrative and overarching themes.

Concise Exploration of the Major Characters

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• Addie Bundren: Although she dies early in the story, Addie's influence is felt strongly. Her chapter, which is written posthumously, provides insight into how she saw life, love, and family. A unique viewpoint on the frailty of family ties is offered through Addie's discontentment with her life and her marriage to Anse, her romance with Reverend Whitfield, and her difficult connection with her children, especially Jewel.
• Anse Bundren: Anse is the patriarch of the Bundren family and a mysterious man. His dislike of labor and his seeming selfishness stand in sharp contrast to his resolve to carry out Addie's last desire. Faulkner creates a nuanced portrayal of a man who is constrained by duty yet oddly aloof from the emotional upheaval around him.
• Darl Bundren: Possibly the most introspective of the Bundren kids, Darl serves as the main narrator thanks to his astute observations and beautiful phrasing. His final hospitalization and growing sense of alienation from reality highlight the psychological toll the voyage has had on him. His significance as a pivotal character in the story is further enhanced by his complicated connection with Jewel and his acute understanding of the family dynamics.
• Jewel Bundren: As the result of Addie's extramarital romance, Jewel stands out for his staunch independence and abiding commitment to his mother. His aggressive personality often contrasts with his brothers' more reserved demeanor, highlighting his status as the Bundren family's "outsider."
• Dewey Dell Bundren: As the family's lone daughter, Dewey Dell's story is infused with her troubles with a recent pregnancy and her frantic efforts to have an abortion. Her encounters provide light on gender dynamics and the restrictions placed on women in the American South in the early 20th century.
• Cash and Vardaman Bundren: While Cash's exacting carpentry skills, demonstrated in his creation of Addie's coffin, reflect his methodical nature and great respect for his mother, Vardaman's innocent perspective, particularly his association of his mother with a fish, offers an abstract but profound insight into the concept of life and death.

Conclusion:

The complex characters in "As I Lay Dying" demonstrate Faulkner's unmatched capacity to dig deeply into the human mind. Each Bundren family member adds to the novel's rich tapestry with their own narrative voice and point of view. Their trip to bury Addie is more than just a physical one; it also serves as a metaphor for each person's search for connection, identity, and purpose. Faulkner, via the Bundrens, not only depicts the spirit of a family bonded by duty and blood, but also the underlying loneliness and challenges each member has as they navigate life.

References:

1. William Faulkner. While I Was Dying. Retro, 1990.
2. André Bleikasten. The Novels of William Faulkner from The Sound and the Fury to Light in August: The Ink of Melancholy. 1990, Indiana University Press.
3. Cleanth, Brooks. In The Yoknapatawpha Country by William Faulkner. Press of Louisiana State University, 1963.

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