The beginning of As I Lay Dying provides very little in plot detail - all we know is that Addie Bundren is on her deathbed while observing her coffin being built outside her house - but some peculiar and tense family relations are put in place. Firstly, though, I should probably introduce the characters featured at the beginning of the book.
There is of course Addie, a sick mother who is watching her coffin being built; Anse, Addie's seemingly selfish and unempathetic husband; Jewel, Addie's oldest, tall son, equally as self-concerned as his father and quite greedy; and Darl, Addie's second son, shorter, and more quiet and reserved as his mother. Next-door neighbor Cora must also be mentioned - she, so far at least, has given more insight to the Bundren's family's dynamics than anyone else. Of course, as most of the traits listed above for other characters are given from Cora's perspective, we should maybe caution ourselves as to how accurate her descriptions are, as they are biased.
Perhaps at this point, you're thinking that Cora is narrating the story. This is, however, only partially correct. The book has multiple narrators, including previously mentioned people in the post and others who have yet to be introduced, and they switch back and forth among each other every two to five pages. We've actually yet to introduce all characters mentioned in this section!! One of the most unique is Cash, the carpenter who is building Addie's coffin. Nothing really is known about him, except that Addie entrusts him with this task. Then there is Tull, who will drive the horse carriage from Mississippi to Tennessee with Addie so that she can be buried with her family. Also a minor character is Kate, who appears to be Cora's co-worker in a bakery.
Cora and Kate are very different from each other. When we first meet them, they are discussing what to do with all the cakes they have baked for a rich lady who, after canceling her party, has decided to not pick them up. While Kate continuously repeats the line "She ought to taken those cakes" three lines curing the conversation (Faulkner 7-9), Cora instead turns to her deep Christian faith to rationalize the situation and make the best of what she has. For example, while Kate thinks the rich lady should have bought the cakes even if she weren't to proceed with her party, Cora reckons it may have been more honest and up front to simply say the party was off and not buy the cakes despite a previous promise, as the "Lord can see into the heart. If it is His will that some folks has different ideas of honesty form other folks, it is not my place to question His decree" (8). In essence, Cora thinks that both the rich lady and Kate could have correct assessments of the situation, but their different perspectives suggest that each is more correct than the other. This passage furthermore defines how Cora views her faith, as she believes that the Lord is so just that more than one answer is correct to life's problems. She believes that God will accept both Kate and the rich lady as viewing the their perceptions as honest and fair even thought they are different.
The above passage also shows one of the most prominent literary devices in use during this novel: stream of consciousness, hence the multiple narrators in the story. This allows us to get inside the characters heads during their current thoughts throughout the novel as events unfold before them. Stream of consciousness is what has allowed us as readers to know of Cora's religious beliefs, as well as her view of the Bundrens.
This first section of the book, albeit it very small, offers a huge set-up for character relations and personality. We've yet to learn anything about Addie, really, which is interesting as her seemingly upcoming death is the driving force in the book. It will be interesting to see where the book goes form here, how people will develop, and who Addie is. I can't wait to continue reading to find out what all this is about. Although nothing has happened besides Jewel falling off a horse and Cora baking some cakes, the book has be hooked. These characters don't seem to really get along, and when they do, they keep it secret. I wonder what will happen when their true feelings for each other come out...
I enjoyed reading your first post as it covered a little bit of everything from the beginning section: characters, devices, and style. In terms of style, you mentioned that the book is written from the perspective of multiple characters using a stream-of-conscious style. The book that I am reading, The History of Love, uses a similar technique. So far, I have enjoyed this as I feel I am able to connect with all characters instead of just one main character. I definitely agree, though, that the problem with this is the bias that inevitably results. Have you found any characters that you feel are more reliable than others? Are there some characters that you feel more connected to than others? I am interested in what your thoughts are on this writing style and whether or not you think the benefits of it outweigh the drawbacks.
ReplyDeleteI've know finished the book, as of posting this, and I would most definitely say that I love stream of consciousness. It's possibly my favorite stylistic choice an author could make because of the inside information you get and the multiple levels no which you get to hear the story. As for the bias, I found that everyone seemed to view others in the same light, but as I continued reading the book, I found that many characters held secrets that proved that impressions aren't always correct. In other words, only the individual characters could truly reveal who they were.
DeleteErik, your comments about Cora are very insightful, which is saying something since this is no easy read.
ReplyDeleteYou will want to pay careful attention to the details and the hints we get about the characters as the book goes on, but you've done a nice job identifying the differing perspectives and the personalities of the characters so far.
Your comment about Cora's view of perspective is an especially insightful one, since perspective and perception are hugely important in the novel.