Women In William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

879 Words2 Pages

For a long period of time in American history, women have been treated unequally in relation to men. Women were not as important as men; for instance, the men, for a long time, was the head of the family, and were the one who would make every decisions in the family. Women, on the other hand, normally stayed at home and took care of the house. Because of this social norm, the women did not receive the same respect compared to men. In the drama “As I Lay Dying” by William Faulkner, the author describes gender inequality through the stream of consciousness from the character Dewey Dell. A pregnant, unmarried teenager, Dewey Dell wants to protect her reputation and her life in the bigger picture, causing her to hate Darl, her own brother, because Darl knows she is pregnant. Dewey hides her pregnancy because it will ruin her life if people know about it, …show more content…

In the drama, Dewey states, “ I knew he knew because if he had said he knew with the words I would not have believed that he had been there and saw us” (Faulkner 27). Dewey Dell is pregnant by Lafe, a farm worker; because of that, she does not want anyone to know about her pregnancy. Surprisingly, Darl somehow knows about it, as well as the relationship between Dewey Dell and Lafe. His knowledge of her condition makes Dewey constantly nervous and afraid that Darl will reveal her secret, creating tension between them. In his article “Perception and the Destruction of Being in As I Lay Dying,” literary critic Homer Pettey claims, “She seizes upon this certainty of Darl's knowledge not by words directly, but implicitly, by his gaze. And she hates him for knowing her secret.” Darl does not inform or speak to Dewey Dell about her secret, but by the way Darl looks at her, Dewey Dell is certain that Darl knows about the pregnancy. As a result, Dewey Dell dislikes Darl, even though Darl is her own

Show More
Related

  • secrets in faulkner's as i lay dying

    628 Words  | 2 Pages

    Yoknapatawpha County is a fictional county made up by William Faulkner in which As I Lay Dying takes place in; this is now the third novel to take place here. As I Lay Dying was one of the last novels written in the 1920’s by William Faulkner and within fifty-nine chapters, this novel features a unique narration of fifteen different first person narrators. Each chapter is written from that particular character’s perspective telling their version of what is happening in the novel, making this not only an interesting take on narration but a compelling read as well. Faulkner uses the characters use of language to help us identify and see glimpses into the lives of the Bundren family; through this we can understand the revenge and secrets from within the characters that is blind to the most if not all-remaining characters within the novel.

    Read More

  • The Symbolism of Moseley in "As I Lay Dying"

    560 Words  | 2 Pages

    In William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, Moseley provides the reader an escape from the delusional world of the Bundrens and a glimpse of society, as it should be. Appearing only once in the novel, the elderly pharmacist is essential in emphasizing Faulkner's theme of moral values over self-seeking voracity in that he defends what he knows is right at all costs. Moseley is introduced in the small town of Mottson, where Dewey Dell wanders into his drugstore store with ten dollars from Lafe, and the intention of eliminating "the female trouble." (200) After much confusion, it is made clear that Dewey Dell wants an abortion, treatment that Moseley repeatedly refuses, despite her persistency. Discouraged, Dewey Dell eventually leaves, after a stern lecture from Moseley and advice to take the money and buy a marriage license. Moseley's morals, contrasting to the other characters' in the novel, may provide support for Faulkner's religious beliefs while adding a sense of righteousness to a world of iniquity.

    Read More

  • Exploring Void in Faulkner's Addie Bundren

    1850 Words  | 4 Pages

    This relationship is very similar to that of Jewel and Darl. Darl discovers that Dewey Dell is pregnant out of wedlock. None of the other family members know this. Her motive behind going to Jefferson was to get an abortion. This is due to the fact that her baby’s father left her, fear for her father’s rejection due to southern values and religion, and also due to the fact that she ( like everyone else in the family) can not and does not communicate with the other family members. They are all selfish and isolated. Once again Darl does not take any action over discovering her secret, but just continually taunts her over this. This causes tension to continually build until the end of the novel where Darl is being taken away to the insane asylum and Dewey Dell attacks him violently. It is also safe to assume that Dewey Dell is the one who turned Darl into the officials over burning down the barn. Only Vardaman and her knew about what he did. She wanted him out of her life for torturing her, because she did not want anyone to find out her secret. Even though everyone was going to find out sooner or later since she fails to get an

    Read More

  • As I Lay Dying Literary Analysis Essay

    970 Words  | 2 Pages

    People tend to isolate women and young girls in this time especially if they had rebelled. Dewey Dell has got herself caught in a situation she does not now how to get out of. Dewey feels she has no one else to turn to because of her loneliness so she begins to turn to men. Dewey thought that the men she was surrounding herself with truly loved her and could make her feel happy and not alone. Love is a vicious force in Dewey life (Kincaid). Dewey finds herself getting farther away from humanity. Dewey does not understand the depth of love. Addie not showing her the love Dewey needs growing up makes her feel abandoned. Anse continues to use his children and Dewey does not have a true father figure she needs in her life. Dewey feels abandonment her whole life. She never has anyone to tell her right from wrong or to give her guidance. She does not expect men to treat her with respect because she never sees the respect that she deserved from

    Read More

  • Social Classism In William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

    1136 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the early 1900s, the American South had very distinctive social classes: African Americans, poor white farmers, townspeople, and wealthy aristocrats. This class system is reflected in William Faulkner’s novel, As I Lay Dying, where the Bundrens a poor, white family, are on a quest to bury their now deceased wife and mother, Addie in the town of Jefferson. Taking a Marxist criticism approach to As I Lay Dying, readers notice how Faulkner’s use of characterization reveals how country folk are looked down upon by the wealthy, upper class townspeople.

    Read More

  • The Power of the Written Word: Literary Greats Paving the Way for Social Equality

    1276 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout history, women have struggled with, and fought against, oppression. They have been held back and weighed down by the sexist ideas of a male dominated society which has controlled cultural, economic and political ideas and structures. During the mid-1800’s to early 1900’s women became more vocal and rebuked sexism and the role that had been defined for them. Fighting with the powerful written word, women sought a voice, equality amongst men and an identity outside of their family. In many literary writings, especially by women, during the mid-1800’s to early 1900’s, we see symbols of oppression and the search for gender equality in society.

    Read More

  • We Are What We Carry

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    He feels cheated that his sister is better educated than him. Perry envyes the education of his family and others.... ... middle of paper ... ...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Anse Bundren In Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

    708 Words  | 2 Pages

    In As I Lay Dying (1930), Faulkner creates the deceitful, insensitive character, Anse Bundren, who will do anything to get what he wants, even if it means stealing and injuring his own children, symbolizing the avarice and apathy that can result from a world of non education, poverty, and overall suffering.

    Read More

  • Dewey Dell In As I Lay Dying

    912 Words  | 2 Pages

    Dewey Dell a character in William Faulkner's novel, As I lay dying, takes place in Mississippi in the 1920s and is about the Bundren family dealing with Addie’s death.. Dewey Dell has significantly changed as the novel reached its end but some of her main aspects from her personality did not change .She has changed in the novel, she went from seeming innocent and being with her mother in her death-bed to her getting pregnant and trying to get rid of Darl. Dewey Dell's personality was affected by events and the notable changes in Dewey are noticeable in multiple parts from her first chapter to her last two chapter. The noticeable changes are displayed when reading the chapter where Dewey gets pregnant and the last two chapters where Dewey Dell turned

    Read More

  • As I Lay Dying Character Analysis

    1336 Words  | 3 Pages

    Darl’s ability to see the unseen is what separates him from his family. The barn burning is not the only instance of this. Darl is somehow able to know that Dewey Dell is pregnant without her saying anything. Although Darl never outright says that he knows, Dewey Dell is able to tell that he knows. This is why she lashes out at him at the very end of the novel (Faulkner 755).

    Read More

  • Grieving In William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

    942 Words  | 2 Pages

    A horrific aspect of life that many people have a difficult time dealing with is death. The thought of death scares people because as humans we do not have a way to comprehend something that we cannot test, see or even have a grasp of. When a person loses a loved one they get scared by this reality of that they do not know where they are going and when they make it there how will it be for them. In William Faulkner's book, As I Lay Dying, we go through the process at which a family loses a “loved” one and we follow the family all the way until the deceased, Addie Burden, is buried in Jefferson. In As I Lay Dying you see the steps of grieving are different for many people and some of the people will come out destroyed and others without a scratch. The character Cash goes through a process of grief, odd to most in his way of grief we do not see pain because of the pressure he puts on himself to finish the journey for the family. Cash’s brother, Jewel, seems to snap from the pain of losing his mother and he let the pain ingulf his life. Finally, the last

    Read More

  • Comparison of Daisy Miller and The Yellow Wallpaper

    1214 Words  | 3 Pages

    Society continually places restrictive standards on the female gender not only fifty years ago, but in today’s society as well. While many women have overcome many unfair prejudices and oppressions in the last fifty or so years, late nineteenth and early twentieth century women were forced to deal with a less understanding culture. In its various formulations, patriarchy posits men's traits and/or intentions as the cause of women's oppression. This way of thinking diverts attention from theorizing the social relations that place women in a disadvantageous position in every sphere of life and channels it towards men as the cause of women's oppression (Gimenez). Different people had many ways of voicing their opinions concerning gender inequalities amound women, including expressing their voices and opinions through their literature. By writing stories such as Daisy Miller and The Yellow Wallpaper, Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Henry James let readers understand and develop their own ideas on such a serious topic that took a major toll in American History. In this essay, I am going to compare Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” to James’ “Daisy Miller” as portraits of American women in peril and also the men that had a great influence.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis of Dewey Dell Bundren in Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

    1081 Words  | 3 Pages

    William Faulkner, a Nobel Prize winning author, wrote the novel "As I Lay Dying" in six weeks without changing a word. Considering the story's intricate plot, not changing a single word seems like it would take a literary genius to complete. Many people agree that Faulkner could very well be a genius due to the organization of this story. Faulkner uses fifteen different characters to narrate and allow the reader to analyze each of their point of views. Through the confessions of each character, the reader is able to form his or her opinion about different characters and issues. Since some narrators are unreliable for different reasons, it could be confusing to form opinions. One character that is easily understood is Dewey Dell Bundren. She is the only daughter in the Bundren family and ends up being the only woman in the family. "As I Lay Dying", the story of a family's journey to bury their mother and wife, is also the story of Dewey Dell's journey toward maturity. Along their journey to bury their mother, the characters, like Dewey Dell, seem to evolve through their encounters with other people. Faulkner depicts Dewey Dell as a very monotonous person in the beginning of the book. In the beginning, Dewey Dell is seen fanning her mother, picking cotton, or milking cows. However, towards the end of the book, her repetitiveness is lost. Towards the end of the novel, Faulkner specifically shows Dewey Dell in numerous situations becoming a mature individual.

    Read More

  • The Role of a Mother in As I Lay Dying Written by William Faulkner

    1843 Words  | 4 Pages

    Many mothers, regardless of age or situation, share sympathetic life ideals. They all share the common goal of raising their children wholesome; they want to create an environment of love, nurture, and support for their children as well. A mother’s effort to implant good values in her children is perpetual; they remain optimistic and hope that their children would eventually become prosperous. However, some women were not fit to be mothers. Thus, two different roles of a mother are portrayed in As I Lay Dying written by William Faulkner. Faulkner uses the literary technique of first person narrative with alternating perspectives. By doing so, Faulkner adds authenticity and the ability to relate (for some) to the two characters Addie Bundren and Cora Tull. The first person narrative acts as an important literary technique because it allows the reader to experience the opposing views of Addie and Cora; they are both mothers who act as foils to each other because of their diverse opinions and outlooks on motherhood, religion and life.

    Read More

  • Gender Roles: Then and Now

    1448 Words  | 3 Pages

    Indisputably, roles and characteristics of opposite genders have been ubiquitous, since historical evidence proves so – dating back to when the practice of oral tradition was favored over written language. This historical evidence is especially apparent in literature from previous time periods. In these works of literature, men and women often have very different social and economic positions within society. Particular duties, or tasks, are practiced depending on the gender of these individuals. However, in the advancing world we are currently living in, these duties are beginning to intertwine in an effort to allow equal rights amongst opposite genders. This effort to break the sexist barrier, which encompasses our world, has already begun rattling the chains of politicians and the like. However, with the progressions made thus far in retaliation to sexism and unequal gender privileges, the United States of America is heading in a positive direction towards gender equality. Nonetheless, the female gender is perceived as a lesser entity in society while the male gender is dominant and controlling. The masculine individuals in literary works usually govern, or direct the feminine individuals. These characteristics are often evident in various literary works – including “Hills Like White Elephants,” and “A&P” written by Ernest Hemingway and John Updike, respectively. The slow and steady transformation from a sexist society to one that allows inferior genders to perform similar tasks, if not the same as their superior counterparts, may disturb the ideological mindset of figures with authority; however, it provides inferior genders with the opportunity to branch out socially, economically, and politically.

    Read More

More about Women In William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

Open Document