It is a well-known fact that Faulkner in his work made extensive use of what T.S. Eliot had established as ′the mythological method′. Like Eliot, he used the old myths in his narrations as an underlying human structure which yielded depth and meaning to his work and a certain kind of continuity of basic human virtues and vices. This was especially important in a time of general post-war disillusionment which, of course, affected deeply the literary conventions and styles of the time.
The debate of how much exactly Faulkner drew upon Eliot is held ever since the first book of Faulkner was published. It is considered probable that Faulkner knew the vegetation myths of Frazer and there can be hardly any doubt that Faulkner knew The Wasteland and the discussion of its sources. Unimportant and futile though it might therefore be to add another shabby brick to the impressive building of Faulkner criticism, I think it could be fun to once more oppose two outstanding works of Faulkner and Eliot in a close reading and see whether we can find a formerly neglected relation.
I believe that the influence of The Wasteland (including some of its most important sources; i.e. The Golden Bough by Sir James George Frazer and From Ritual to Romance by Jesie Weston) on As I Lay Dying works on different levels.
First on a literal - symbolic level.: Faulkner employs in a more or less unobtrusive way quite a few symbols or images of The Wasteland: April, Spring, New teeth, Gramophone, Fish, chuck, chuck, chuck (the sound of the adze) vs. Jug jug jug jug , five children, an abortion, several paraphrases (set my land in order vs. set my house in order)
Second on a level of atmosphere: Faulkner evokes through his dense and powerful prose the gloomy and portentous atmosphere of The Wasteland.
Third on a level of narration: The Wasteland is a patchwork of a multitude of different voices which are stringed together in the seer-like character of Tiresias.
So is As I lay dying. It is a patchwork of many voices which at first sight seem to be all equal to each other as far as the narrational standpoint is concerned. In a closer reading, however, one realizes that Darl relates events that he possibly cannot know, for he is not on the scene.
In the following I′d like to elaborate the above mentioned in more detail.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The literal - symbolic level of the relation
2.1 Literal correspondences between As I Lay Dying and The Wasteland
2.2 Symbolic correspondences between As I Lay Dying and The Wasteland
3. Relation of Atmosphere
4. Relation of Narration Structure
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Topics
This academic work explores the literary relationship between William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying" and T.S. Eliot's "The Wasteland," focusing on how Faulkner utilized mythological methods to structure his narrative. The research investigates whether Faulkner effectively transferred the atmospheric desolation and thematic depth of Eliot’s poem into his own prose to depict the fragmentation of the human condition.
- The application of mythological methods in modernist literature.
- Comparative analysis of symbolic imagery, including teeth, the gramophone, and the Fisher King archetype.
- The parallel use of atmospheric "wasteland" aesthetics in both works.
- Structural similarities in narrative, particularly the role of the observant narrator/seer versus the collective voice.
- The ironic subversion of rebirth and renewal rituals in the Southern Gothic tradition.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Literal correspondences between As I Lay Dying and The Wasteland
There are indeed very few distinct literal borrowings to be found in As I Lay Dying as Mary Jane Dickerson points out in her essay ‘As I Lay Dying’ And ‘The Waste Land’ Some Relationships: ”[ ] I assume he was using The Wasteland in a more subtle way here.”(Probably she has Pylon in her mind, in which Faulkner used The Wasteland more conspicuously.) In fact, in some cases, the allusion to The Wasteland is either really very subtle or there is no allusion at all:
”Addie Bundren could not want a better one, a better box to lie in. It will give her confidence and comfort. I go on to the house, followed by the Chuck. Chuck. Chuck.of the adze.”(AIL, p.5)
This is Darl’s rather cynical comment on Cash’s making the coffin for Addie quite at the beginning of AIL. The chuck, chuck, chuck of the adze is phonetically not too far away from the jug, jug, jug of The Wasteland’s nightingale below:
”Twit twit twit
jug jug jug jug jug jug
so rudely forc’d.
Tereu”(The Wasteland, line 203)
Taking into account, that Addie was not exactly happy with the birth of Cash and Darl nor with Anse as a husband, I think it is not farfetched to interpret the chuck chuck chuck noise as an intended allusion to the cited passage of The Wasteland which in itself is an allusion to a Greek story of rape and marital tragedy. The idea that the onomatopoeic word chuck could be symbolical is supported by the fact that in Jewels section later on the noise of the adze is referred to as one lick less, one lick less. (AIL, p.15)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the historical debate regarding Faulkner's use of Eliot's mythological method and proposes a close reading to identify neglected relations between the two works.
2. The literal - symbolic level of the relation: Analyzes specific shared imagery, such as the adze noise and false teeth, and examines the symbolic parallels between the Fisher King and characters in Faulkner's novel.
3. Relation of Atmosphere: Discusses how both authors create a sense of cosmic desolation and decay, framing the Southern rural environment as a "wasteland" devoid of traditional spiritual meaning.
4. Relation of Narration Structure: Compares the roles of narrators, specifically identifying Darl as a functional equivalent to Tiresias, acting as a seer who stands outside the community.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes that while Faulkner adopted the atmospheric and structural frameworks of Eliot, he infused them with an ironic, distinctly postmodern sensibility.
Keywords
William Faulkner, T.S. Eliot, The Wasteland, As I Lay Dying, Mythological Method, Literary Comparison, Fisher King, Modernism, Symbolism, Narrative Structure, Addie Bundren, Darl, Postmodern Irony.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the literary influence of T.S. Eliot’s poem "The Wasteland" on William Faulkner’s novel "As I Lay Dying," specifically looking at how mythological frameworks and atmosphere are mirrored in the texts.
What are the central themes covered?
The primary themes include the use of vegetation myths, the absurdity and grotesqueness of human decay, the failure of traditional spiritual renewal, and the isolation of the individual within an ethical vacuum.
What is the primary goal of the research?
The goal is to move beyond general claims of influence and demonstrate specific instances where Faulkner adopts Eliot's techniques to highlight his own characters' struggles with meaning and existence.
Which methodology is employed?
The study uses a close reading approach, contrasting specific narrative passages, symbolic objects, and structural choices in both works to uncover subtle literary parallels.
What does the main body focus on?
The body analyzes literal and symbolic correspondences, atmospheric similarities, and the hierarchy of narrative voices, comparing figures like the Fisher King to Bundren characters and Darl to Tiresias.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Mythological Method, Modernism, Symbolism, Narrative Structure, and thematic elements like the "wasteland" or "Fisher King."
How does the author interpret the "chuck" sound of the adze?
The author interprets this noise as an intended onomatopoeic allusion to the "jug jug" nightingale song in "The Wasteland," linking the novel's domestic labor to Eliot's themes of rape and marital tragedy.
In what way does the author argue that Darl acts as a "seer"?
Similar to Tiresias in Eliot’s poem, Darl occupies an observing distance from the family, perceiving events he is not physically present for and reflecting on the "wasted" nature of his world without engaging in moral judgment.
- Quote paper
- Reinhard Ocker (Author), 2001, As I Lay Dying: Faulkner's Wasteland ?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/9919
