Faulkner was born in Mississippi and spent almost his whole life there, in Lafayette County. This region served as example for his fictional Yoknapatawpha County, in which some of his novels are set. One of those is "As I Lay Dying" from 1930. It is the story of the Bundren family and its journey to Jefferson City to bury the wife and mother Addie, who dies in the first half of the novel. Their journey is made difficult due to several complications and incidents and hence gives insights into the characters thoughts and intentions.
In this work, Faulkner extended his complex methods which he had developed in his earlier books "Sartoris" and "The Sound and the Fury" both from 1929. These methods include an extensive use of irony. It serves to reveal the "profound similarities or ironic contrasts between the modern world and earlier times" and was part of Faulkner's experimental attempts to articulate the inexpressible aspects of individual psychology. In the following, I would like to examine the novel for this extensive application of irony by showing how it is created, and furthermore, explain its purpose, which is to bring the real personalities of the individual characters to light.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Analysis of the Story
- 2.1 Noah and Anse Bundren
- 2.2 The Ark and the Coffin
- 2.3 The Flood and the Journey
- 2.4 Conclusion
- 3. Analysis of Individual Characters
- 3.1 Anse Bundren
- 3.2 Cora Tull
- 3.3 Dewey Dell Bundren
- 3.4 Addie Bundren
- 3.5 Jewel Bundren
- 3.6 Darl Bundren
- 3.7 Cash Bundren
- 3.8 Vardaman Bundren
- 4. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The objective of this work is to analyze the extensive use of irony in William Faulkner's novel, As I Lay Dying, exploring how it functions to reveal the true personalities of the characters. The analysis will focus on the creation and purpose of the irony within the narrative.
- The juxtaposition of the biblical story of Noah's Ark and the Bundren family's journey.
- The use of religious allusions to create irony and highlight the complexities of the characters.
- The exploration of the themes of death, family dynamics, and the human condition in the context of the Southern Gothic tradition.
- The examination of individual characters and their motivations through the lens of irony.
- The connection between irony and the depiction of the modern South in Faulkner's work.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the analysis by establishing the historical and literary context of Faulkner's work within the framework of American modernism and the Southern Gothic tradition. It introduces As I Lay Dying and its narrative focus on the Bundren family's arduous journey. The chapter highlights Faulkner's innovative use of irony as a tool to unveil the complexities of individual psychology and the contradictions of the modern world and the South. The introduction ultimately lays the groundwork for the subsequent detailed examination of irony within the novel.
2. Analysis of the Story: This section delves into the narrative structure of As I Lay Dying, focusing on Faulkner's utilization of religious patterns, particularly the story of Noah's Ark, to create ironic contrasts. The chapter analyzes how the parallel between Noah's journey and the Bundrens' pilgrimage to bury Addie serves as a powerful juxtaposition, exposing the absurdity and contradictions inherent in the family's actions and motivations. The comparison highlights the "cheapness of life" and the ironic blend of tragedy and humor characteristic of Southern Gothic literature.
3. Analysis of Individual Characters: This chapter offers in-depth analyses of each member of the Bundren family. It explores how Faulkner's use of irony reveals the multifaceted nature of each character, highlighting their individual motivations, internal conflicts, and relationships with one another. Through detailed character studies, the chapter illuminates how irony contributes to a nuanced understanding of the family dynamics and their individual journeys towards their own destinies within the larger narrative of the novel. The analysis draws connections between the characters' experiences and the broader thematic concerns of the novel.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
William Faulkner, As I Lay Dying, irony, Southern Gothic, modernism, Noah's Ark, religious allusion, character analysis, family dynamics, death, human condition, biblical juxtaposition.
Frequently Asked Questions: As I Lay Dying - A Comprehensive Analysis
What is the main objective of this analysis of William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying"?
The primary goal is to thoroughly examine the extensive use of irony in Faulkner's novel, "As I Lay Dying," and how this literary device reveals the true personalities and motivations of the characters. The analysis focuses on understanding the creation and purpose of the irony within the narrative structure.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis?
The analysis explores several key themes, including the juxtaposition of the biblical story of Noah's Ark with the Bundren family's journey; the use of religious allusions to create irony and highlight character complexities; the exploration of death, family dynamics, and the human condition within the Southern Gothic tradition; the examination of individual characters and their motivations through the lens of irony; and the connection between irony and the depiction of the modern South in Faulkner's work.
What aspects of the story are analyzed in detail?
The analysis delves into the narrative structure of "As I Lay Dying," focusing on the use of religious patterns and the parallel between Noah's journey and the Bundrens' pilgrimage to bury Addie. It provides in-depth analyses of each Bundren family member, exploring how Faulkner uses irony to reveal their multifaceted natures, motivations, internal conflicts, and relationships. The analysis connects these individual character studies to the broader thematic concerns of the novel.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured to provide a comprehensive overview. It begins with an introduction that establishes the historical and literary context of Faulkner's work. This is followed by an analysis of the story's narrative structure, emphasizing the ironic contrasts created through religious allusions. A detailed chapter examines each character individually. Finally, a conclusion summarizes the key findings.
What are the key chapters and their content?
The analysis is organized into chapters covering: an Introduction setting the context; an analysis of the story's narrative structure and use of irony; an in-depth analysis of individual characters; and a concluding chapter that synthesizes the findings. Each chapter delves into specific aspects of irony's function within the novel.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Key terms associated with this analysis include: William Faulkner, As I Lay Dying, irony, Southern Gothic, modernism, Noah's Ark, religious allusion, character analysis, family dynamics, death, human condition, and biblical juxtaposition.
For whom is this analysis intended?
This analysis is intended for academic use, supporting structured and professional analysis of themes within William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying." It provides a framework for understanding the novel's complex use of irony and its contribution to character development and thematic exploration.
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- Jonathan Vogel (Autor:in), 2020, Irony in Faulkner. An Analysis of Stories and Individual Characters, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1153999
