Analysis of the Dysfunctional and Delusional Bundren Family

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner depicts the story of one tragic family and their dismal journey across Missouri. While the Bundren’s originally set out in wake of their mother’s death, their journey is soon fueled by jealousy, selfishness and utter hatred as they are forced to depend on each other. In assessing the true severity of their dysfunction, it’s critical to critique each family member individually for their personal motives and feelings throughout the journey.

Anse Bundren can obviously be seen as the most selfish and self-centered member of the family. Furthered by some ridiculous belief that “ … [I]f he ever sweats, he will die” (Faulkner 17), Anse devotes his life to avoiding and dealing out work. While he may seem somewhat focused on fulfilling his promise to Addie her burial, the only real reason Anse wants to go is to Jefferson is to“ … [G]et them teeth. That will be a comfort. It will”(111).

Dewey Dell follows as a close second for most selfish family member. She is so wrapped up in her pregnancy and getting an abortion that she completely neglects all wants or needs of her brothers, father and recently deceased mother. While occasionally she does play a motherly role towards Vardaman, Dewey Dell rarely goes a passage without mentioning herself and her problems, especially towards the end of the book.

Vardaman is much tougher to decipher as his true feelings are somewhat masked by his immaturity and inability to really convey any thing. After Vardaman’s simple yet profound revelation that “ My mother is a fish” (84), Vardaman frees Addie by drilling an air hole in the coffin. Eventually, the coffin is dropped in the river and “… [Darl] let her get away” (151). This signals the end of Vardaman’s con...

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...s gone; I sit naked on the cart above the unhurrying mules" (121). Dewey Dell knows that Darl “understands” her situation as he so often puts it, and Dewey Dell is worried that he might reveal this to Anse any one else. Darl is now a threat, and Dewey Dell later plays a big role in subduing Darl before his transportation into the insane asylum.

Despite their terrible loss, the Bundren’s do an impeccable job of staying almost as inconsiderate and self-centered as possible. As Tull described it earlier, “ They would risk the fire and the earth and the water and all just to eat a sack of bananas” (140). The Bundren’s absurd motives and outright oblivious actions make this epic journey a tale of how far a family can stray from any form of functionality.

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Works Cited

Faulkner, William. As I Lay Dying. New York: Vintage, 1990. Print.