*I wrote a lot of this as I was only mid-way through the book. Some of the things I was claiming ended up being disproven, so don't mind that....
For the large majority of the book (as in literally the first ~120 pages of the book), the use of POV did not add anything to the overall storyline quality. This is because the book lacked strong continual sub-plots. For example, Dewey Dell’s pregnancy was introduced in a chapter before Addie’s death but was then very quiet in the plot--even in Dewey Dell’s chapters--while they were departing. Similar to Dewey, in the chapters right after Addie’s death and up until many chapters after they crossed the river, the family members’ personal struggles appeared to be disregarded.
This led the book to seem very straightforward, not really in need of multiple POVs. The only thing the added POVs seemed to do was elaborate on a single event, as if it was replaying it and reiterating one action 3x.
However, as the book progresses (AFTER THE LIKE 150 PAGE MARK), the POVs begin to reveal flashbacks and grow character’s different voices. I think the character’s growth and clarity as they ease into their personal dialogue “styles” reveal their emotions regarding Addie’s death and personal issues. As the chapters become clearer, they add to the plot rather than simply adding details.
One example is Darl, who is the “main” narrator in the beginning to near end of the book. At first, he is the one with the least “creative markers,” ex. Dewey Dell’s voice used to be really frantic with many unclear ramblings) allowing him to be read most clearly. As the journey continues, he narrates less and less (still a lot, but in the beginning, it would be every other chapter) and his voice appears more biased. By eliminating Jewel’s POV and having Darl narrate his experiences--while making Darl’s dislike obvious--Faulker discredits Darl’s narration and makes his character less trustworthy to the reader.
On the other hand, Dewey Dell, whose voice began as a very restless and overwhelming read, grew to be more clear as the story progressed. Later in the book, once they reached a town and she was able to stop at a drug store, she told the story more clearly (compared to say, when she revealed her pregnancy). As she was able to worry less about her family and taking care of Addie, her priorities were allowed to shift toward herself--making her voice clearer.
Addie’s death and the use of POV also create a dynamic of emotional vs physical stressors. A good example is the relationship between Addie, Jewel, and Darl. In the scene where they are crossing the river, he is personally escorting Addie’s coffin across the water. Almost simultaneously, Faulkner intertwines the memory of Jewel working and eventually showing up with his horse. This stage, for Jewel, broke some of Addie’s trust in him and broke them apart. It creates an interesting juxtaposition where some characters will be physically far, but mentally close (Jewel). While others are physically here, but end up occupying their thoughts with other issues, making them mentally far. I think Faulker’s use of POV tests the family’s relation to Addie throughout the story.
As the Bundren family copes with Addie’s death, their POVs and chapters become clearer and reveal more about their plot. This relationship with Addie reiterates her importance to the storyline, and also her lack of importance to a lot of their family.
You did a great job on your analysis of the POVs in As I Lay Dying. I like how you mentioned the shift from reduancy in early POVs to more character development towards the end, as you mentioned with Dewey Dell having a clearly voice. I totally agree with your point about Darl's povs being unrealibile. I wish we got more of Jewel's pov maybe Faulkner intentially did not give Jewel's pov so we would like his character more than Darl. It would have been nice to get the backstory of their brotherly relationship.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really unique and great analysis, Athena! I agree that the importance of POVs increases throughout the novel. I particularly appreciate your analysis of Dewey Dell, who seemed to evolve pretty significantly throughout the book. I would say that even Vardaman started making more sense by the end of the novel as well (even though his mom remained a fish to him). I agree that Addie also really ties into this because the family is too focused around her for much of the book to even realize their own problems.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you broke down the evolution of the POVs. I agree that early on, the multiple perspectives feel more like over-explaining single events rather than driving the story forward. One thing that stuck out to me about the use of POVs is how they highlight not just individual struggles but also the isolation within the family. Like, even though they’re physically traveling together, their thoughts are so wrapped up in their personal issues that they don't really connect emotionally. It’s almost like the fractured narration mirrors the fractured family dynamic. Faulkner kind of shows how how grief, selfishness, and personal goals keep them from truly supporting each other, even as they work toward the same goal of burying Addie.
ReplyDeleteHey Athena, I agree that as the book goes on, the narration becomes less repetitive and more profound, as the characters really start to develop. The character's flashbacks and clearer stories definitely start to tell us a lot more about their relationships with Addie, and the family at large. Great work!
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