Role Of Cash Bundren In William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

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In the midst of pursuing a familial bond, Cash Bundren, a character in William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, and I have struggled to handle the conflict of personal identity versus duty to our family. Moreover, we have considered how to choose which aspect to respect, if not both, to determine if living according to one’s personal identity, while to an extent sacrificing, forms stronger family bonds, and if it is self-defeating to sacrifice one’s personal identity in order to create or uphold a familial bond. Therefore, Cash’s decision to sacrifice for his family is a part of his personal identity one in which he voluntarily ties himself to his family and creates a family unit. Similarly, from the lessons and responsibility I obtained from my …show more content…

For example, our spiritual beliefs are polar opposites; I identify as an atheist and my parents are ardent Christians. Several of my family’s traditions and beliefs such as “[celebrating] Easter Sunrise Service, going to Church, decorating the Christmas tree together, and being a good Christian” revolve around Christianity and religion (Pascale). Previously, I did not disagree with their religious beliefs, but now that I am older and trying to figure out how the world works, I have to choose between letting my parents impose their religious beliefs on me and asserting my spiritual freedom. However, the cultural and familial heritage attributes that I have incorporated into my personal identity such as “having good ethics and morals, spending quality time with your family, believing it's always good to help other people, and being kind,” align with the values that I have individually rationalized and chosen to adhere to (Pascale). While I disagree with some of the beliefs, traditions, and values my parents hope I inherit, I respect them for wanting me to have a positive upbringing; I have not completely handled the situation, but I have concluded that I want a relationship with my family and that I should not have to sacrifice my spirituality to do so. Nonetheless, although I am less attached to my family’s values than Cash is to his family’s and I do not feel obliged to conform to my family. Therefore, respecting other family members’ differences, especially those regarding beliefs, values, and aspects necessary to live according to one’s personal identity, forms the strongest family

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