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

William Faulkners characterisation of women, Addie Bundren specifically, in As I Lay Dying presents an interesting advert into the gender politics of the s issueh in the 1930s. Addie lies at the heart of the fresh 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 e very(prenominal)thing that happens in the novel. There is a dense tension at work between words and Truth her chapter Addie ascribes no value to words, they are energy more than dead sounds. And despite her convey that words are quick and harmless, she is tricked by them, and relies on them to restitution her revenge on Anse. While the word sin means nonhing to Addie, she is nevertheless consumed by the idea of Sin. The fundamental problem for the reader is how to follow a chapter of words when Addie says they are empty shapes. Addies nihilistic arrive at on to language reveals her attempt to escape her subjugation as a cleaning lady as a woman, Addie cannot help but fall into the traps of married woman and mother, and their associated duities.Addies chapter placement complicates the novel, as it is placed 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 get 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 plainly 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 tre atment of Jewel rather than treating Jewel worse because he is a constant reminder of his sin, he is her favorite child, believing that he exit save her from the water and the fire (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 imprecate act of revenge, by making Anse promise to take her body to Jefferson. This pass along 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.