Unique Love

Unique Love

In the novel As I Lay Dying written by William Faulkner, Addie, the wife and mother of the Bundrens, becomes very ill. As her death approaches, her family begins to prepare for her death. Once Addie passes away, the Bundrens show their love and commitment in a unique manner. The central theme in this novel is the idea that love may not always be shown in ways one may be accustomed to; it may be expressed in a manner that some might think it is harsh or unique.

One example of the Bundrens unique love is how they allow Addie to watch out the window while Cash, the eldest son, builds her coffin. Addie's favorite son, Jewel, scrutinizes his family and especially Cash for allowing her to see him building it. Jewel says with resentment, "Where every breath she draws is full of him knocking and sawing where she can see him saying see" (Faulkner 14). He fails to see that they are letting her see it out of love because Addie wants to see it so she could know she would have a nice resting place.

Another example is the family's journey to Jefferson to bury Addie. It is very difficult to get Addie there because of the many obstacles they face on a small wagon and the prolonged amount of time. The many people the Bundrens pass think it is hateful and unethical to drag her body through this journey. Many of the people even question the family's love for one another. "I just wish that you and all the men that torture us alive and flout us dead, dragging us up and down the country" says Rachel, the wife of Samson who they meet along the way who is outraged by what the journey they are making (Faulkner 117). The people do not realize that this is Addie's wish to be buried where she came from, and Anse, her husband, will do anything to keep his word even though others may think he is not doing the right thing.

A final example of their unique love is Darl's attempt to burn Addie's body in the barn of Gillespie Farm in Jefferson. Darl, the second eldest son, is the only one that has ordinary love for his mother, but he attempts to do the right thing by doing what some might seem crazy. He tries to discretely burn down the whole barn because he wants his mother to lay in peace. Darl also wants to get rid of the body because it causes so many problems with the Bundren family. His brothers would also love to get rid of the body, but they know they can not