This quote uses repetition of the forms of the word “good”. This is ironic, because Darl knows that his mother is dying and nothing out of this situation can be described as good. By using that word so many times in such a small space, Darl is showing his desire to distance himself from the sadness and tragedy of the situation and instead focus on small, individual aspects that can be thought of separately from his mother’s death. He describes Addie’s eventual coffin almost as if it were a bed so he is still in denial of her fate.
I am comparing this quote to fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium). This is the first plant to appear after a forest fire, and its petals are beautiful and hard to ignore. It is the sole sign of beauty in a wasteland of horror and destruction. This idea relates to Darl’s attitude toward his mother’s death and her coffin. He is focusing only on the quality of the coffin and not on the fact that soon his mother will be dead. He also refers to her as “lying in” the coffin, as if she were asleep, so his words are gentle. He isn’t harsh, like a cactus, but instead emotional. It can also grow up to 8 feet high, showing the triumph of beauty over barren lands. This could represent Darl reaching the cottonhouse before Jewel, who is generally shown to be less gentle than his brother.
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