AS I LAY DYING

In these next sections, Faulkner continues presenting his various narrators and characters in the novel. By the time the reader has finished Cora’s second narration, he should be aware that Faulkner is creating a magnificent picture of the backwoods, self-righteous, superficial woman. It is ironic that with these qualifications Faulkner […]

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Faulkner did not number the sections since he was interested in creating a continuous impression; therefore, the following attempt to divide the novel into sections and groups is made so as to facilitate critical commentary. Faulkner’s technique throughout the novel is to present short individual sections in which some character […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Sections 1-5

Addie Bundren The dying mother, who has ordered her coffin to be built under her window and who has extracted a promise from her family that they will take her to Jefferson to bury her. Anse Bundren Her bumbling and ineffectual husband, who is anxious to take Addie to Jefferson […]

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In its broadest terms, the structure of As I Lay Dying revolves around the preparations for and the actual journey from the Bundren farm to a town forty miles away in order to bury Addie Bundren. During the journey, several difficulties are encountered. So, in one sense, the novel has […]

Read more About As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying is told in individual sections, so that the narration of the story shifts from one character to another. While most sections are narrated by members of the Bundren family, the few that are told by neighbors and other observers offer a glimpse of the family from […]

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