As I Lay Dying

Article written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

William Faulkner’s ‘As I Lay Dying’ is considered one of the most important works of modern literature. It was first published in 1930 and has since become a classic of the Southern Gothic genre.

The novel follows the Bundren family as they traverse the Mississippi countryside in order to bury their matriarch, Addie. It is narrated from the perspectives of 15 different characters, giving readers a unique insight into the lives of each family member.

Key Facts about As I Lay Dying

• Title As I Lay Dying
• Published: 1930
• Literary Period: Modernism
• Genre: Literary fiction
• Point-of-view: Many points of view and many different narrators
• Setting: Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi
• Climax: Darl burning the barn
• Antagonist: Anse and the journey itself

William Faulkner and As I Lay Dying

William Faulkner is one of the most renowned authors of the 20th century, and his 1930 novel, ‘As I Lay Dying,’ is considered one of his greatest works. Faulkner was born in 1897 in New Albany, Mississippi, and grew up in the rural South. He was raised in a family of storytellers who passed down their tales of honor, courage, loss, and tragedy from generation to generation. These stories inspired Faulkner’s writing, and he would go on to incorporate them into many of his works.

‘As I Lay Dying’ tells the story of a rural southern family as they struggle to fulfill the last wishes of their deceased matriarch. The book uses a unique style of stream-of-consciousness storytelling which reflects the chaotic emotions of the characters. The narrative also includes numerous Southern vernacular phrases and allusions that draw heavily upon Faulkner’s experience living in the rural South.

Faulkner based much of ‘As I Lay Dying’ on his own experiences growing up in the rural South. Many of the characters and events in the novel are modeled after those from his own life. For instance, the character of Addie Bundren is based on Faulkner’s own mother, and her desire to be buried in her hometown of Jefferson mirrors Faulkner’s own mother’s deathbed wish to be buried in her hometown.

Similarly, the character of Darl Bundren is thought to be based on Faulkner himself, and his struggles with madness reflect Faulkner’s own struggles with mental illness. Through these characters, Faulkner was able to explore themes such as grief, loss, and mortality in a way that only he could do.

The story of ‘As I Lay Dying’ remains one of William Faulkner’s most celebrated works and continues to be studied by literary scholars and students alike. It is a testament to Faulkner’s talent as an author and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion.

Books Related to As I Lay Dying

William Faulkner’s ‘As I Lay Dying’ is a classic work of literature, a profound exploration of the human condition that has stood the test of time. It has been inspiring other authors since its publication in 1930, many of whom have drawn inspiration from Faulkner’s masterpiece for their own works.

‘The Bluest Eye’ by Toni Morrison is an acclaimed novel about a young African-American girl’s struggles with race and class in the United States. The novel takes its cue from Faulkner’s masterpiece and explores similar themes of love, death, and despair.

‘Sula’ by Toni Morrison is another influential novel inspired by Faulkner’s ‘As I Lay Dying.’ This work focuses on the complex relationship between two women, exploring themes of identity and friendship as they strive to find themselves in a difficult world.

John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ was influenced heavily by Faulkner’s work. This novella follows two friends who journey through rural America during the Great Depression, exploring themes of loyalty and companionship in difficult times.

Annie Proulx’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel ‘The Shipping News’ also drew much inspiration from ‘As I Lay Dying.’ The novel follows a man who travels to Newfoundland to confront his painful past and find a new life for himself.

‘As I Lay Dying’ has also been an inspiration to many contemporary authors, including Cormac McCarthy, whose works such as ‘Blood Meridian’ and ‘No Country for Old Men’ take cues from Faulkner’s classic novel. Of course, there are also countless short stories, poems, and other works of fiction that owe a great debt to Faulkner’s timeless tale.

Lasting Legacy of As I Lay Dying