Distinct Style of Writing

Faulkner's style of writing is extremely different in As I Lay Dying when comparing it to the other pieces of literature I have read. Faulkner opens up many different perspectives by using streams of consciousness from each of the characters in the novel. The reader is able to get a better understanding of internal struggles like Dewey Dell desperately searching for a way to get an abortion. The writing style changes in each of the character's chapters. The can easily pick up on the fact that Dewey Dell is not well educated while Darl is, or that Cora is conceited due to the fact that her streams of consciousness revolve around herself and not her physical surroundings. The Bundren family is very complex and do not have a healthy dynamic. I am sure as the plot unravels, more key facts will be revealed, like what Anse's incentive is for bringing Addie all the way to Jefferson, and why Jewel is such an outcast in the family. Each character has distinct traits, and it seems as if most of the family members have serious mental and internal problems. Darl does not seem "normal," some of his thoughts are very strange, Vardaman is very slow mentally, and Jewel definitely has an anger management issue that is deeply rooted from a specific event that has occurred to him earlier in life. Only through reading the rest of this book will the truth be revealed behind each of the family members skewed personalities.

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 7, 2017 at 5:50 PM

    Camille,

    I as well have never really read anything like Faulkner. As I Lay Dying is different, like you pointed out, because of the whole stream of consciousness thing. I agree with you in saying that his writing style allows readers a deeper understanding of the characters; I really saw this during Anse's chapters specifically. Literally being inside the character's minds allow for his true thoughts about Addie and her death to come to the surface. Knowing what a character is really feeling also allows for readers to build a better connection character, and possibly even a deeper hatred for a character. In Anse's case, readers can grow to truly not like him because Faulkner's writing makes it so you really know what a bad guy he is.

    Reading Faulkner's writing is a little bit like culture shock. But now, it seems to be getting a little easier to understand, and like Ms. Maxey said, I'm just taking it with a grain of salt :)

    - Addy

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