Essay about As I Lay Dying Studyguide - 2823 Words

AS I LAY DYING, William Faulkner Questions for Study 1. Which are the most intelligent and sympathetic voices in the novel? With whom do you most and least identify? Is Faulkner controlling your closeness to some characters and not others? How is this done, given the seemingly equal mode of presentation for all voices? Darl is the most intelligent voice in the novel. He often seems to play the role of omniscient narrator, because he describes events that took place when he was not present. For example, he describes Addie’s death, even though he was not with her when she died. Darl appears to be the character that knows the most about what is going on and has the most consistent voice in the novel. The character that seems to be the†¦show more content†¦Faulkner’s point in doing this was to present the reader with an articulate omniscient narrator on whom they could rely. Darl, the main omniscient narrator, explains events to the reader that he did not witness first hand. Also, Vardaman is only a child, and strangely enough provides insight about the life of a big family, that no other character was able to do. 4. What makes Darl different from the other characters? Why is he able to describe Addie’s death [p. 48] when he is not present? How is he able to intuit the fact of Dewey Dell’s pregnancy? What does this uncanny visionary power mean, particularly in the context of what happens to Darl at the end of the novel? Darl has fought in World War I; why do you think Faulkner has chosen to include this information about him? What are the sources and meaning of his madness? Darl is different from the other characters because he is the omniscient narrator in the novel. Being able to describe his mother’s death when he was not present proves that Darl had insight that other characters in the novel did not. Darl has the ability to connect and comprehend more than any of the other characters in the story who are limited by their sparing education. Darl states he has such a deep understanding of events because of his closeness and deep connection with them. For example, his knowledge of Dewey Dell’s pregnancy and his admittance in an insane asylum support his claim. 5. Anse Bundren isShow MoreRelatedAsk the Dust by John Fante13686 Words   |  55 Pagescom/studyguide-ask-the-dust/ Copyright Information  ©2000-2012 BookRags, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gales For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare Contrast, What Do I ReadRead MoreEssay on Silent Spring - Rachel Carson30092 Words   |  121 Pagesbookrags.com/studyguide-silentspring/ Copyright Information  ©2000-2007 BookRags, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The following sections of this BookRags Premium Study Guide is offprint from Gales For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare Contrast, What Do I Read Next