As I Lay Dying Essay -- Literary Analysis, William Faulkner

William Faulkners portrayal of women, Addie Bundren specifically, in As I Lay Dying presents an arouse look into the gender politics of the south in the 1930s. Addie lies at the heart of the novel yet despite being the heart, her presence for most of the story is as a corpse. Faulkner only gives her one chapter to explain herself and it is her desire to be buried in Jefferson that sets in motion everything that happens in the novel. There is a profound focus at work between words and Truth her chapter Addie ascribes no value to words, they argon nothing more than dead sounds. And despite her claim that words are quick and harmless, she is tricked by them, and relies on them to take her revenge on Anse. While the word sin means nothing to Addie, she is nevertheless consumed by the brain of Sin. The fundamental problem for the reader is how to decipher a chapter of words when Addie says they are empty shapes. Addies nihilistic approach to language reveals her attempt to escap e her seduction as a woman as a woman, Addie cannot help but fall into the traps of wife and mother, and their associated duities.Addies chapter placement complicates the novel, as it is set after she dies Faulkner does not make it clear whether he is presenting her voice from beyond the grave or if this is supposed to have taken place sometime in the past. From the very beginning of the chapter, Addie shows a darkness in her heart that the reader has not seen before. She hates children (169). She hates her father for bringing her into the world and telling her that the reason for living is to doctor ready to stay dead a long time (169). She doesnt appear to take any pleasure in living, except when she punishes her st... ...idelity she merely took the precautions that he thought necessary for his sake, not for her safety, but just as she wore clothes in the worlds face (175). She continues her rebellion in her treatment of precious stone rather than treating Jewel worse be cause he is a constant reminder of his sin, he is her favorite child, believing that he willing save her from the water and the can (168)which Jewel does in turn he rescues her body from the river, and single handedly carries her body from Gillespies burning barn. She identifies Jewel as her savior because he is the symbol of her rebellion.Addies carries out her final, and most damning act of revenge, by making Anse promise to take her body to Jefferson. This request places Addies dead family explicitly above Anse and her children, and she knows that Anse will carry it out because he is bound by his word.