Dear Journal,
Well I reckon the Bundrens are back from Jefferson. Anse has got himself a new lady by the looks of it. He couldn’t a done no good, goin all that way to Jefferson for his dead wife and then a comin back with a new one. Cora won’t like the sound of this one, not a bit. It’s against God’s plan, that’s what she’ll say. But Anse got it done. He promised her. She wanted it. She come from there. Her mind was set on it. But that darn river. If it hadn’t been for that log. Maybe Cora’s right, maybe it would have been sacrilege to do. It was the hand of God.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Cora Pgs. 166-168
“‘Nothing,’ she said. ‘He is my cross and he will be my salvation. He will save me from the water and from the fire. Even though I have laid down my life, he will save me’”(Pg. 168).
In this quote, Addie’s characterization is being more clearly demonstrated toward the reader. It portrays how Jewel was a mistake, yet due to Addie’s favor and kind love toward him, her sin will be forgiven through her behavior toward Jewel. This quote is important because it is stands as a correlation against what Cora is stating; how Jewel is her punishment, yet where is her salvation?, for it is God to judge, not Addie. This direct correlation advances into allowing Cora to stand as a juxtaposition, for her and Addie have opposite morals and ideas about religion. This chapter was altogether extremely important because it lead into a good introduction for the next chapter; Addie’s, for it introduces her true feelings about the reasons she has acted so kindly toward Jewel.
http://pleasanthillbaptistchurch.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/salvation.128155724_std.jpg
I choose this picture to illustrate what I think Cora stands for. She is trying to show the light and salvation to Addie by telling her what to do but at the same time, this person in the picture takes up the whole picture, demonstrating how Cora portrays a conceded characterization about herself, as if she knows all and suggests the only answers to heal poor Addie Bundren.
In this quote, Addie’s characterization is being more clearly demonstrated toward the reader. It portrays how Jewel was a mistake, yet due to Addie’s favor and kind love toward him, her sin will be forgiven through her behavior toward Jewel. This quote is important because it is stands as a correlation against what Cora is stating; how Jewel is her punishment, yet where is her salvation?, for it is God to judge, not Addie. This direct correlation advances into allowing Cora to stand as a juxtaposition, for her and Addie have opposite morals and ideas about religion. This chapter was altogether extremely important because it lead into a good introduction for the next chapter; Addie’s, for it introduces her true feelings about the reasons she has acted so kindly toward Jewel.
http://pleasanthillbaptistchurch.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/salvation.128155724_std.jpg
I choose this picture to illustrate what I think Cora stands for. She is trying to show the light and salvation to Addie by telling her what to do but at the same time, this person in the picture takes up the whole picture, demonstrating how Cora portrays a conceded characterization about herself, as if she knows all and suggests the only answers to heal poor Addie Bundren.
Peabody pg 239-240
"That's right," I said, "of course he'd have to borrow a spade to bury his wife with. Unless he could borrow a hole in the ground. Too bad you all didn't put him in it too."
Peabody uses sarcasm to further exemplify his dislike for Anse Bundren, an opinion that is widely agreed with. The townspeople all seem to feel that Anse is a good-for-nothing and lazy human being (mostly because he is). Peabody devalues Anse's endeavor to bury Addie, saying that if he could find an unoccupied hole in the ground he wouldn't even bother giving her a proper burial.
Peabody is a bit like Sister Helen from the TV show "Grounded for Life". Like Peabody does with the Bundrens, Sister Helen is always critiquing and intervening with the Finnerty family's dysfunctional parenting. She does not hide the way she feels about them and states her strong opinions bluntly and outright. The way she feels about Mr. Finnerty, a childish and un-put-together trouble maker is a lot like how Peabody feels about the irresponsible Anse Bundren.
Anse
I promised her I’d do it, and I did it. I traveled down those durn roads, crossed that durn river, and got us all to Jefferson all right. Now the deed is done and I’ve done my duty. I reckon when it’s my turn to go to Heaven the good Lord will look upon me well. In fact, I reckon the Lord has already repaid a good man like me, who went through so much labor and trouble. I got dem teeth now, and can chew through a slab of meat faster than Jewel coulda ever rode away on that durn horse. I also got me a lady to mind the house and the cookin’ and the cleanin’ and maybe get me another good boy or two. And I got that durn Darl in Jackson now, so I don’t got to be payin’ for that durn barn he burned down. Now it’s just me, and my new lady, and Cash with his stump leg, and Dewey Dell with her durn cakes, and Jewel without that durn horse, and Vardaman still chasin’ those durn buzzards. Yep, I durn well think the Lord has repaid me.
Armstid (pages 184-193)
“Because be durn if there ain’t something about a durn fellow like Anse that seems to make a man have to help him, even when he knows he’ll be wanting to kick himself next minute” (192)
This quote reflects the general attitude the neighbors have towards Anse. They really can’t stand him, but are somehow inclined to help him anyway. In this section, Armstid repeatedly expresses his opinion of Anse as a complete idiot, but is still willing to offer up his team and food to the Bundrens because he feels it’s the right thing to do. The way the neighbors treat Anse exemplifies the motifs of Christianity and judgment that recur throughout the novel. The characters of Armstid, Tull, and Cora help the Bundrens because they are motivated by their Christian beliefs of “loving your neighbor.” However, they are constantly looking down upon the family. This creates irony between the neighbors’ so-called “Christian” actions and their true thoughts that completely contradict the ideals of Christianity.
Armstid, Tull, and Cora remind me of the girls from The Crucible. The girls are supposed to be Puritans strictly upholding their Christian ideals, but do not at all exemplify their beliefs. They are constantly making up lies, judging each other, and pushing for the unjust deaths of people like the Proctors. Abigail in particular is very un-Christian because had an affair with John Proctor and is the leader of all the mayhem. If these girls were actually practicing their Christian beliefs of loving your neighbor and not lying or killing, none of the madness of The Crucible would have erupted in the first place.
This quote reflects the general attitude the neighbors have towards Anse. They really can’t stand him, but are somehow inclined to help him anyway. In this section, Armstid repeatedly expresses his opinion of Anse as a complete idiot, but is still willing to offer up his team and food to the Bundrens because he feels it’s the right thing to do. The way the neighbors treat Anse exemplifies the motifs of Christianity and judgment that recur throughout the novel. The characters of Armstid, Tull, and Cora help the Bundrens because they are motivated by their Christian beliefs of “loving your neighbor.” However, they are constantly looking down upon the family. This creates irony between the neighbors’ so-called “Christian” actions and their true thoughts that completely contradict the ideals of Christianity.
Armstid, Tull, and Cora remind me of the girls from The Crucible. The girls are supposed to be Puritans strictly upholding their Christian ideals, but do not at all exemplify their beliefs. They are constantly making up lies, judging each other, and pushing for the unjust deaths of people like the Proctors. Abigail in particular is very un-Christian because had an affair with John Proctor and is the leader of all the mayhem. If these girls were actually practicing their Christian beliefs of loving your neighbor and not lying or killing, none of the madness of The Crucible would have erupted in the first place.
Darl
Quote- "Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes." - Darl
Explanation- Although the quote seems unsubstantial alone, in context it provides the final evidence that Darl, who started out as the most rational and sensible character, has descended into total madness due to the mental strain of justifying and questioning the family’s moving of Addie to Jefferson, and his failure to destroy her and end the madness in the burning barn. He has been reduced to laughing and stammering on the outside, but continues to narrate himself in the 3rd person in the chapter, becoming completely disconnected from himself in a way.
Related Object- I am not really a huge fan of video games, but upon reading this section, I could immediately relate Darl’s mental state to the main villian in a game called Earthbound for the Super Nintendo. The villian, named Giygas, pursues ultimate power. In this quest, he reduces himself to less than a person, becoming the embodiment of pure evil. He becomes unable to control his actions, and in the final fight with him, acts almost exactly like Darl. He even has a line, “Ness, Ness, Ness, Ness, Ness, Ness, Ness”, Ness being the protagonist of the game. Both Giygas and Darl are destroyed internally by the pursuit of something they cannot grasp, and are reduced to something alive, but not conscious.
Jewel
Quote: “Watch it, hell,” Jewel says. “You get out of that wagon and let me have it. By God, if you’re afraid to drive it over……” His eyes are pale as two bleached chips in his face.
Explanation: This quote emphasizes Jewel’s disconnect from the entire family, and the devotion to his mother. His one-track mind only wants his mothers wish to be fulfilled in her Jackson burial. He tries to claim responsibility for the journey by himself, saying “let me have it”, because he believes that his mother is his responsibility and he believes no one loves her to the degree that he loves him. Jewel’s emotions are expressed mostly through descriptions of his eyes, and the loss of color in them, and he is infuriated in this passage, as his eyes are pale white.
Relating: I’m relating this passage to “Frances the Mute” by the Mars Volta. This song uses many water-related metaphors, as does this section, as well as the water being the ultimate barrier to the Bundren’s in their quest to bury Addie. The song also is essentially the description of a mother being killed, and her son’s alienation after her death. This mirrors Jewel, who is left motherless and confused in his life.
Lyrics: It’s been thirteen seconds
Since you all last said
I’ve become the apparition
You predicted for my death
You said that flirting brings you
Closer to the end
You can bait into the water
But you’ll never get the hint
And like a stain of bricks goes
Dancing by your head
Plucked from an icebox
Grafted on my skin
My coat has hid the marks
Mink hits the shovel fix
Near the sway of pendulums
Boar abrasions and a kiss”
She said, “I’ll never let them hurt you
I’ll never let them in
What you took from me is mine
What is mine I’ll never give”
Mascara glass in the molar weeds
Herash,a serpent infancy
His eye patch pussed a gap of sand
Into his shine a sedative
More and more the dirt collects
You’ll never find her body now
Her closet festered in a secret air
Blonde underneath a blackened hair
He never knew the colony
Gestated in his bed
Mingle with the carnivores you’ve something both in common now
Till one day his wasted breath
Swollen throat and karma debt
Set foot inside a parlor, to find her drunken by receipts
He held her by the ankles
Gutted at the nave, yes gutted and depraves
He tied a rope around her legs
And let her hang for seven days
This never happened, but I saw you leave,
And crawl into a bed of broken windows
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOadp1H4j68
The only issue with the video is it cuts out 4 minutes of ambient noise in the beginning, which I feel ruins the effect of the song
Samson
Samson
“A man can’t tell nothing about them. I lived with the same one fifteen years and I be durn if I can. And I imagined a lot of things coming up between us, but I be durn if I ever thought it would be a body four days dead and that a woman. But they make life hard on them, not taking it as it comes up, like a man does.” Pg 117-118
This quote shows how Samson thinks. It is truly getting into his mind to find out what he is interested in. The first thing that we can understand is about him and his wife Rachel’s relationship. Although they have been married for so long like it states here, they seem to fight a lot. We can infer this because of how confused he is by them. Also it shows how he feels about himself. The tone that he gives off while reading this sounds as if he thinks very highly of himself, and not only is he upset that the Bundren’s wont accept his hospitality, he is offended to as why they aren’t. He thinks that he is very high on his status, and because he is so upset starts to ridicule them. The diction that he uses, sets the tone so that the reader can tell that he is upset that they are not accepting his hospitality. The last thing the author uses is his tone. The tone set by this is very cocky, and anti-feminine. He is ridiculing woman throughout this paragraph saying how much he doesn’t understand them, and then again when he says that the Bundren’s aren’t acting like men.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Vardaman 210-211
“Jewel hasn’t got a horse anymore. Jewel is my brother. Cash is my brother. Cash has a broken leg. We fixed Cash’s leg so it doesn’t hurt. Cash is my brother. Jewel is my brother too, but he hasn’t got a broken leg.”
Vardaman’s naïve and almost incomprehensible rambling reaches its height in this chapter, where he recounts his relationships with his family members. Vardaman does not mention Darl or Dewey Dell at all, which shows that he has noticed the “defectiveness” of those siblings. In his childlike state, he can see that Darl has begun to go crazy and that Dewey Dell is keeping her pregnancy from her family. While he cannot articulate what he knows about them, he is insightful enough to realize that they are different from Cash and Jewel. His short, simple sentences are proof of his youth and his attempts to understand the world around him by processing one fact at a time.
This lego structure represents Vardaman’s mode of thinking. It is monochrome, which shows that he accepts one type of family member: one who isn’t damaged in any way. The blocks all build on each other, so Vardaman’s thoughts each connect to the previous one. While mentioning that Jewel doesn’t have a broken leg might seem unnecessary, Vardaman still needs to state this to show that he understands that not all brothers have broken legs. The lego structure turns onto itself which is exactly like Vardaman’s consciousness. He thinks of so many things at once yet everything is still inherently connected in his mind. In addition, legos are children’s toys yet these are being used in an adult way, much like Vardaman is still a kid yet is put into adult situations for which he is not ready.
Vardaman’s naïve and almost incomprehensible rambling reaches its height in this chapter, where he recounts his relationships with his family members. Vardaman does not mention Darl or Dewey Dell at all, which shows that he has noticed the “defectiveness” of those siblings. In his childlike state, he can see that Darl has begun to go crazy and that Dewey Dell is keeping her pregnancy from her family. While he cannot articulate what he knows about them, he is insightful enough to realize that they are different from Cash and Jewel. His short, simple sentences are proof of his youth and his attempts to understand the world around him by processing one fact at a time.
This lego structure represents Vardaman’s mode of thinking. It is monochrome, which shows that he accepts one type of family member: one who isn’t damaged in any way. The blocks all build on each other, so Vardaman’s thoughts each connect to the previous one. While mentioning that Jewel doesn’t have a broken leg might seem unnecessary, Vardaman still needs to state this to show that he understands that not all brothers have broken legs. The lego structure turns onto itself which is exactly like Vardaman’s consciousness. He thinks of so many things at once yet everything is still inherently connected in his mind. In addition, legos are children’s toys yet these are being used in an adult way, much like Vardaman is still a kid yet is put into adult situations for which he is not ready.
Cash - Final Post
CASH
So we are home again. Seems like things aren’t quite the same with ma and Darl gone and all. I reckon nothing is ever quite the same since what we been through. It’s like that barn - a fellow works so hard to build something he can use for the rest of his life and as long as it took for that to be built, it can be gone in a second. And so pa got his teeth, and Jewel aint got nothing now that his horse is gone. I reckon I have to figure a way to finish fixing Tull’s barn. While we was setting all around in the house today I was just looking around at Jewel and Dewey Dell and Vardaman, trying to see what it is that needs fixing in this house. And so it gets me thinking, but I try not to think about it ,with all that happened that can’t be changed, but I told them all that they should have
So we are home again. Seems like things aren’t quite the same with ma and Darl gone and all. I reckon nothing is ever quite the same since what we been through. It’s like that barn - a fellow works so hard to build something he can use for the rest of his life and as long as it took for that to be built, it can be gone in a second. And so pa got his teeth, and Jewel aint got nothing now that his horse is gone. I reckon I have to figure a way to finish fixing Tull’s barn. While we was setting all around in the house today I was just looking around at Jewel and Dewey Dell and Vardaman, trying to see what it is that needs fixing in this house. And so it gets me thinking, but I try not to think about it ,with all that happened that can’t be changed, but I told them all that they should have
Whitfield 177-179
Quote:
"I knew that forgiveness was mine. The flood, the danger, behind, and as I rode on across the firm earth again and the scene of my Gethsemane drew closer and closer, I framed the words which I should use. I would enter the house; I would stop her before she had spoken; I would day to her husband: "Anse, I have sinned. Do with me as you will."
This quote includes a lot of Biblical allusions. Whitfield - a priest- is talking about riding towards "[his] Gethsemane", which is known as the place where Jesus was betrayed by his disciple. Whitfield makes it apparent many times that he wants to be the one to reveal the secret to Anse, and that he does not want Addie to tell him. The fact that he never tells Anse the truth, and that in this quote he shows that he is only concerned about himself being forgiven reveals what kind of person Whitfield truly is. Faulkner places these ideas of forgiveness and betrayal right next to each other, allowing the reader to focus on how one comes from the other. It makes us question whether Whitfield chooses not to tell Anse in order to prevent him from pain, or if he does it to protect himself. At this point, Whitfield is standing on the other side of the river after having to deal with the danger of crossing it. After reading Anse and his family’s trip across the river, we can compare these two characters and see how they are connected in more than one way.
Word Definition:
Betrayal-
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/betrayal
tr.v. beqtrayed, beqtrayqing, beqtrays
To give aid or information to an enemy of; commit treason against: betray one's country.
To deliver into the hands of an enemy in violation of a trust or allegiance: betrayed Christ to the Romans.
To be false or disloyal to: betrayed their cause; betray one's better nature.
To divulge in a breach of confidence: betray a secret.
To make known unintentionally: Her hollow laugh betrayed her contempt for the idea.
To reveal against one's desire or will.
To lead astray; deceive. See Synonyms at deceive.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth EditionCopyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
I chose to use the definition of betrayal because it shows how the word can be used for two completely different situations. Betrayal is not only the act of keeping something secret, but also the act of revealing something. This quote demonstrates many different kinds of betrayal. It shows a priest being disloyal to his calling and the promises that accompany his lifestyle. It shows a wife being disloyal to her husband. This quote sets up the betrayal of this secret that has been kept between Addie and Whitfield. The many different definitions and interpretations of this word can be connected to the idea that the actual acts which they define are always complicated. Betrayal always involves and affects the lives of many people and causes many other emotions and issues to come about as a result - which is what Whitfield’s quote demonstrates.
"I knew that forgiveness was mine. The flood, the danger, behind, and as I rode on across the firm earth again and the scene of my Gethsemane drew closer and closer, I framed the words which I should use. I would enter the house; I would stop her before she had spoken; I would day to her husband: "Anse, I have sinned. Do with me as you will."
This quote includes a lot of Biblical allusions. Whitfield - a priest- is talking about riding towards "[his] Gethsemane", which is known as the place where Jesus was betrayed by his disciple. Whitfield makes it apparent many times that he wants to be the one to reveal the secret to Anse, and that he does not want Addie to tell him. The fact that he never tells Anse the truth, and that in this quote he shows that he is only concerned about himself being forgiven reveals what kind of person Whitfield truly is. Faulkner places these ideas of forgiveness and betrayal right next to each other, allowing the reader to focus on how one comes from the other. It makes us question whether Whitfield chooses not to tell Anse in order to prevent him from pain, or if he does it to protect himself. At this point, Whitfield is standing on the other side of the river after having to deal with the danger of crossing it. After reading Anse and his family’s trip across the river, we can compare these two characters and see how they are connected in more than one way.
Word Definition:
Betrayal-
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/betrayal
tr.v. beqtrayed, beqtrayqing, beqtrays
To give aid or information to an enemy of; commit treason against: betray one's country.
To deliver into the hands of an enemy in violation of a trust or allegiance: betrayed Christ to the Romans.
To be false or disloyal to: betrayed their cause; betray one's better nature.
To divulge in a breach of confidence: betray a secret.
To make known unintentionally: Her hollow laugh betrayed her contempt for the idea.
To reveal against one's desire or will.
To lead astray; deceive. See Synonyms at deceive.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth EditionCopyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
I chose to use the definition of betrayal because it shows how the word can be used for two completely different situations. Betrayal is not only the act of keeping something secret, but also the act of revealing something. This quote demonstrates many different kinds of betrayal. It shows a priest being disloyal to his calling and the promises that accompany his lifestyle. It shows a wife being disloyal to her husband. This quote sets up the betrayal of this secret that has been kept between Addie and Whitfield. The many different definitions and interpretations of this word can be connected to the idea that the actual acts which they define are always complicated. Betrayal always involves and affects the lives of many people and causes many other emotions and issues to come about as a result - which is what Whitfield’s quote demonstrates.
Peabody
Dear Journal,
I don’t see what the big fuss was about Addie Bundren. After all in reality death is no more then one tenant moving in to a town and one tenant moving in. Anse is truly a luckless man; only a luckless man would call a doctor for someone who was already going to die. Addie Bundren was going to die after all death is nothing more then a function of the mind. Well I don’t mind whether she dies or not I already wrote this visit onto my books so I am going to charge them for it either way.
I don’t see what the big fuss was about Addie Bundren. After all in reality death is no more then one tenant moving in to a town and one tenant moving in. Anse is truly a luckless man; only a luckless man would call a doctor for someone who was already going to die. Addie Bundren was going to die after all death is nothing more then a function of the mind. Well I don’t mind whether she dies or not I already wrote this visit onto my books so I am going to charge them for it either way.
Vardaman
“Now there are seven of them, in little tall black circles.”…”Now there are nine of them in little tall black circles,”… “Now there are ten of them, tall in little tall black circles.”
Explanation: The “them” referred to in the passage refers to the buzzards, which are now following the wagon. Buzzards are a symbol of death and Faulkner uses ominous diction such as “dark” to create a foreboding tone. The repetition of the phrase throughout this passage shows how as the travel continues the family cannot escape this constant reminder of misery and death. The amount of Buzzards increasing is foreshadowing that the greatest misery is yet to come and symbolizes the increase throughout the passage of the families suffering.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSYxT9GM0fQ
I chose sandstorm to represent this passage because like the buzzards the music is repetitive yet building. The buzzards continue to fly over the wagon yet they increase in size. While Sandstorm has many repetitive patterns of beats but becomes more complex and grows louder as the song progress’s
Explanation: The “them” referred to in the passage refers to the buzzards, which are now following the wagon. Buzzards are a symbol of death and Faulkner uses ominous diction such as “dark” to create a foreboding tone. The repetition of the phrase throughout this passage shows how as the travel continues the family cannot escape this constant reminder of misery and death. The amount of Buzzards increasing is foreshadowing that the greatest misery is yet to come and symbolizes the increase throughout the passage of the families suffering.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSYxT9GM0fQ
I chose sandstorm to represent this passage because like the buzzards the music is repetitive yet building. The buzzards continue to fly over the wagon yet they increase in size. While Sandstorm has many repetitive patterns of beats but becomes more complex and grows louder as the song progress’s
tull 152-155 kayla hughes
“There was a shoat come by, blowed up like a balloon: one of them spotted shoats of Lon Quick’s. It bumped against the rope like it was a iron bar and bumped off and went on, and us watching that rope slanting down into the water. We watched it.” (Page 155)
This quote displays the detached diction with which many of the characters speak within this book. It seems ironic that during a time of chaos and panic, Tull is sitting along side the bank of the river calm and collected not caring much about the situation at hand. Rather then helping he merely describes the scene, as if nothing bad was taking place at all. This also shows the difference between Tull and the Bundren’s. The Bundren’s are personified as not thinking things through before they act, and just hastily making decisions. Tull is the opposite, as he takes his time to sit on the side and reflect on the situation at hand in a coherent manner.
I think that a mule best represents Tull’s character because it seems to be the only thing he cares about. His material possessions are what matters to him, and the people around him don’t really concern him. He seems to be self absorbed, and very cold and detached from the things that he should care about in his life.
This quote displays the detached diction with which many of the characters speak within this book. It seems ironic that during a time of chaos and panic, Tull is sitting along side the bank of the river calm and collected not caring much about the situation at hand. Rather then helping he merely describes the scene, as if nothing bad was taking place at all. This also shows the difference between Tull and the Bundren’s. The Bundren’s are personified as not thinking things through before they act, and just hastily making decisions. Tull is the opposite, as he takes his time to sit on the side and reflect on the situation at hand in a coherent manner.
I think that a mule best represents Tull’s character because it seems to be the only thing he cares about. His material possessions are what matters to him, and the people around him don’t really concern him. He seems to be self absorbed, and very cold and detached from the things that he should care about in his life.
cash, last pages
Kayla Hughes
Mrs. Baione
Period 3
Cash pages 258-261
“ ‘It’s Cash and Jewel and Vardaman and Dewey Dell,’ pa says, kind of hangdog and proud too, with his teeth and all, even if he wouldn’t look at us. ‘Meet Mrs Bundren,’ he says.” (Page 261)
This quote displays the irony of the final scene which ends the book. It seems comical that Anse could just run out and get a new wife so soon after he buried his old one, and also that he finally got his teeth which seemed more important to him then his wife dying. This chapter is interesting because it also shows the shift of a thoughtful narrative from Darl who goes crazy, to Cash who has been reserved throughout the whole book. Cash is now the rational thinker, and it shows because of the way he almost satirizes his father for what he has done.
This picture represents everything Cash is chastising in the last chapter. Not only does it appear Cash thinks what his father has done is ridiculous, but he also reflects on the faults of society as well. When he talks about Darl and his madness, he says it “aint so much what a fellow does” as how “the majority of folks is looking at him when he does it.” Therefore Cash takes over as the insightful narrator Darl once was, and reflects on how society forces social norms upon people that they shouldn’t necessarily have to conform to.
Mrs. Baione
Period 3
Cash pages 258-261
“ ‘It’s Cash and Jewel and Vardaman and Dewey Dell,’ pa says, kind of hangdog and proud too, with his teeth and all, even if he wouldn’t look at us. ‘Meet Mrs Bundren,’ he says.” (Page 261)
This quote displays the irony of the final scene which ends the book. It seems comical that Anse could just run out and get a new wife so soon after he buried his old one, and also that he finally got his teeth which seemed more important to him then his wife dying. This chapter is interesting because it also shows the shift of a thoughtful narrative from Darl who goes crazy, to Cash who has been reserved throughout the whole book. Cash is now the rational thinker, and it shows because of the way he almost satirizes his father for what he has done.
This picture represents everything Cash is chastising in the last chapter. Not only does it appear Cash thinks what his father has done is ridiculous, but he also reflects on the faults of society as well. When he talks about Darl and his madness, he says it “aint so much what a fellow does” as how “the majority of folks is looking at him when he does it.” Therefore Cash takes over as the insightful narrator Darl once was, and reflects on how society forces social norms upon people that they shouldn’t necessarily have to conform to.
Anse pp. 105-106
pp. 105-106
“The horse is still a right smart piece away, comin up at a good pace, but I don’t have to be told who it is. I just looked back at Darl, setting there laughing.”
Anse starts off this section (p. 105) saying “I told him not to bring that horse out of respect for his dead ma”. The horse is a symbol for the irony of the situation. Jewel rides his horse, despite being told not to “out of respect for his dead ma”, however, by riding the horse Jewel is actually exhibiting how close he is with Addie. It is more ironic when Anse says “I don’t have to be told who it is”, because although he’s saying he knows it’s Jewel, he makes mention of looking toward Darl—who said “Jewel’s mother is a horse” (p. 95)—who knows the horse is Addie, however, Anse is interpreting Darl’s laughter as Jewel. The situation is ambiguous enough, so that Anse, when saying “I don’t have to be told who it is” could be referring to Addie, or Jewel.
http://blueroof.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/trojan-horse.jpg
Picture: What the quote above is saying, is less important than what it’s not saying. The picture above is of the Trojan horse. The Trojan horse was given to the Trojans by the Greeks as a sort-of-trophy, however, the hollowness of the horse allowed for men to fit inside and invade the inner walls. I find the Trojan horse to be an accurate metaphor for the relationship between the horse, Jewel, and Addie. In the quote above, Anse makes note of Darl and his laughter. Darl not only calls Jewel’s horse his mother (possible reasoning for laughter), but also describes him as wooden, like a “cigar store Indian” (p. 4). The wood is metonymy for the coffin (made of wood), which is metonymy for Addie (after her death). The Trojan horse is hollow, leaving room for men, or metaphorically for Addie, and made of wood, or—evident in Darl’s observations—Jewel.
“The horse is still a right smart piece away, comin up at a good pace, but I don’t have to be told who it is. I just looked back at Darl, setting there laughing.”
Anse starts off this section (p. 105) saying “I told him not to bring that horse out of respect for his dead ma”. The horse is a symbol for the irony of the situation. Jewel rides his horse, despite being told not to “out of respect for his dead ma”, however, by riding the horse Jewel is actually exhibiting how close he is with Addie. It is more ironic when Anse says “I don’t have to be told who it is”, because although he’s saying he knows it’s Jewel, he makes mention of looking toward Darl—who said “Jewel’s mother is a horse” (p. 95)—who knows the horse is Addie, however, Anse is interpreting Darl’s laughter as Jewel. The situation is ambiguous enough, so that Anse, when saying “I don’t have to be told who it is” could be referring to Addie, or Jewel.
http://blueroof.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/trojan-horse.jpg
Picture: What the quote above is saying, is less important than what it’s not saying. The picture above is of the Trojan horse. The Trojan horse was given to the Trojans by the Greeks as a sort-of-trophy, however, the hollowness of the horse allowed for men to fit inside and invade the inner walls. I find the Trojan horse to be an accurate metaphor for the relationship between the horse, Jewel, and Addie. In the quote above, Anse makes note of Darl and his laughter. Darl not only calls Jewel’s horse his mother (possible reasoning for laughter), but also describes him as wooden, like a “cigar store Indian” (p. 4). The wood is metonymy for the coffin (made of wood), which is metonymy for Addie (after her death). The Trojan horse is hollow, leaving room for men, or metaphorically for Addie, and made of wood, or—evident in Darl’s observations—Jewel.
Vardaman pp. 214-217
p. 215: “‘Why does she want to lay down her life, Darl?’
‘Listen,’ Darl says. We hear her. We hear her turn over on her side. ‘Listen,’ Darl says.
‘She’s turned over,” I say. “She’s looking at me through the wood.’
‘Yes,’ Darl says.
‘How can she see through the wood, Darl?’
‘Come,’ Darl says. ‘We must let her be quiet. Come.’
‘How can she see out there, because the holes are in the top,’ I say. ‘How can she see, Darl?’”
Vardaman is confiding in Darl. Throughout the story, Vardaman always mentions how Cash and Jewel are his brothers, but hardly ever makes note of Darl. This is the first relevant conversation between Darl and Vardaman. At this point in the story, Darl’s sanity is withered. This has an effect on the situation because Darl gives into Vardman’s childish views (when he says “Listen”), rather than confront them with his typical pretentious diction. Vardaman’s first question, “Why does she want to lay down her life, Darl” has many meanings. As the reader learns more about Addie, they find out who she really is; they discover she was a sinner, and wasn’t religious, and how dysfunctional the family was. On page 36, Anse makes a biblical allusion to the creation of man, in relation to their life on the farm, as oppose to living on the road. Anse says “He aimed for them to stay put like a tree or a stand of corn. Because if He’d a aimed for man to be always a-moving and going somewheres else, wouldn’t He a put him longways on his belly like a snake?” The biblical allusion made by Anse is ironic; now that Addie is dead, she is lying down—like a snake—and they are traveling to Jefferson, mostly for Addie (also because Anse is selfish). In addition to the biblical allusion, Addie says, (p.170) “I would hate my father for having ever planted me.” The word choice of “planted” is referring to Anse’s reference “stay put up like a tree”. Also, when Vardaman says “How can she see out there, because the holes are in the top,” it is a metaphor for the allusion made by Anse, if she wasn’t on her belly like the snake, she would be able to see through the holes in the top of the coffin, made by Vardaman so she could see.
Then, Vardaman says “She’s looking at me through the wood.” The wood motif throughout the story is a metaphor for the relationship between Addie and Jewel, evident in the continuous observations made by Darl of Jewel as “wooden”. Vardaman is referring to the wood of the coffin, however, it is a metaphor for Addie’s mothering. Addie could never “see through the wood” to Vardaman, because she was preoccupied with her embodied sin—Jewel. Darl replies with a syntactically concise “Yes”, communicating to the reader that he has the same view as Vardaman; that Addie is, and always was “looking at me through the wood”. Syntactically this is placed prior to when Darl burns down the barn, which Vardaman witnesses. Darl burned the barn to rid the family of Addie—because she couldn’t “see through the wood” all his life.
Plant: Ivy-
The picture in particular, not only the characteristics of ivy, is a metaphor for Addie. In the picture, the ivy is covering everything but the windows. The house could have a myriad of problems, in appearance (e.g. cracks, tarnished paint); however, to an observer the house is a beautiful sight. I don’t believe the Bundren household was beautiful, or came off beautiful in the story, however, Addie Bundren, like ivy, encompassed the family with her aesthetically pleasing green leaves. She deceived her own family, by not truly loving them, but making it look as though she may have.
‘Listen,’ Darl says. We hear her. We hear her turn over on her side. ‘Listen,’ Darl says.
‘She’s turned over,” I say. “She’s looking at me through the wood.’
‘Yes,’ Darl says.
‘How can she see through the wood, Darl?’
‘Come,’ Darl says. ‘We must let her be quiet. Come.’
‘How can she see out there, because the holes are in the top,’ I say. ‘How can she see, Darl?’”
Vardaman is confiding in Darl. Throughout the story, Vardaman always mentions how Cash and Jewel are his brothers, but hardly ever makes note of Darl. This is the first relevant conversation between Darl and Vardaman. At this point in the story, Darl’s sanity is withered. This has an effect on the situation because Darl gives into Vardman’s childish views (when he says “Listen”), rather than confront them with his typical pretentious diction. Vardaman’s first question, “Why does she want to lay down her life, Darl” has many meanings. As the reader learns more about Addie, they find out who she really is; they discover she was a sinner, and wasn’t religious, and how dysfunctional the family was. On page 36, Anse makes a biblical allusion to the creation of man, in relation to their life on the farm, as oppose to living on the road. Anse says “He aimed for them to stay put like a tree or a stand of corn. Because if He’d a aimed for man to be always a-moving and going somewheres else, wouldn’t He a put him longways on his belly like a snake?” The biblical allusion made by Anse is ironic; now that Addie is dead, she is lying down—like a snake—and they are traveling to Jefferson, mostly for Addie (also because Anse is selfish). In addition to the biblical allusion, Addie says, (p.170) “I would hate my father for having ever planted me.” The word choice of “planted” is referring to Anse’s reference “stay put up like a tree”. Also, when Vardaman says “How can she see out there, because the holes are in the top,” it is a metaphor for the allusion made by Anse, if she wasn’t on her belly like the snake, she would be able to see through the holes in the top of the coffin, made by Vardaman so she could see.
Then, Vardaman says “She’s looking at me through the wood.” The wood motif throughout the story is a metaphor for the relationship between Addie and Jewel, evident in the continuous observations made by Darl of Jewel as “wooden”. Vardaman is referring to the wood of the coffin, however, it is a metaphor for Addie’s mothering. Addie could never “see through the wood” to Vardaman, because she was preoccupied with her embodied sin—Jewel. Darl replies with a syntactically concise “Yes”, communicating to the reader that he has the same view as Vardaman; that Addie is, and always was “looking at me through the wood”. Syntactically this is placed prior to when Darl burns down the barn, which Vardaman witnesses. Darl burned the barn to rid the family of Addie—because she couldn’t “see through the wood” all his life.
Plant: Ivy-
The picture in particular, not only the characteristics of ivy, is a metaphor for Addie. In the picture, the ivy is covering everything but the windows. The house could have a myriad of problems, in appearance (e.g. cracks, tarnished paint); however, to an observer the house is a beautiful sight. I don’t believe the Bundren household was beautiful, or came off beautiful in the story, however, Addie Bundren, like ivy, encompassed the family with her aesthetically pleasing green leaves. She deceived her own family, by not truly loving them, but making it look as though she may have.
1 Paragraph in the Voice of Darl
Darl
1 Paragraph in the Voice of Darl
My mother does not exist anymore. Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes. My mother Addie was alive once, but I don’t have a mother anymore. I told my wooden brother Jewel that his mother was a horse. My mother is gone. I know a secret. Dewey Dell is pregnant with Lafe’s baby. How do I know that you ask? It’s a gift that I can sneak into people’s minds and know about their private lives. I guess that’s the reason why nobody wants to talk to me anymore. They can’t trust me. Well they can’t trust me because I can’t trust anyone else. My mother is dead. She is gone. That’s why I’m going away. The officers are taking me away. I am in a cage.
1 Paragraph in the Voice of Darl
My mother does not exist anymore. Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes. My mother Addie was alive once, but I don’t have a mother anymore. I told my wooden brother Jewel that his mother was a horse. My mother is gone. I know a secret. Dewey Dell is pregnant with Lafe’s baby. How do I know that you ask? It’s a gift that I can sneak into people’s minds and know about their private lives. I guess that’s the reason why nobody wants to talk to me anymore. They can’t trust me. Well they can’t trust me because I can’t trust anyone else. My mother is dead. She is gone. That’s why I’m going away. The officers are taking me away. I am in a cage.
Darl pages 154-164 Sarah Kerper
Darl
Pages 154-164
“Cash lies on his back on the earth, his head raised on a rolled garment. His eyes are closed, his face is gray, his hair plastered in a smooth smear across his forehead as though done with a paint brush…” (pg 156)
Faulkner uses similes and imagery to describe Darl’s description of Cash. Throughout the novel, Darl has always used details to describe what was going on around him, but the reader can get a very clear image in their head of Cash. Reading this part of the novel can make the reader cringe and even put the book down and come back to it later. Darl makes the reader feel very sorry for Cash with his use of imagery.
I think a picture of an eye is the best way to describe Darl in this chapter. Darl is an observer. He didn’t run to help Cash right away; instead he chose to describe what was going on and be the narrator. I think that this eye can also represent a feeling of fear. Darl was most definitely afraid of losing Cash, like he was afraid of losing his mother.
Pages 154-164
“Cash lies on his back on the earth, his head raised on a rolled garment. His eyes are closed, his face is gray, his hair plastered in a smooth smear across his forehead as though done with a paint brush…” (pg 156)
Faulkner uses similes and imagery to describe Darl’s description of Cash. Throughout the novel, Darl has always used details to describe what was going on around him, but the reader can get a very clear image in their head of Cash. Reading this part of the novel can make the reader cringe and even put the book down and come back to it later. Darl makes the reader feel very sorry for Cash with his use of imagery.
I think a picture of an eye is the best way to describe Darl in this chapter. Darl is an observer. He didn’t run to help Cash right away; instead he chose to describe what was going on and be the narrator. I think that this eye can also represent a feeling of fear. Darl was most definitely afraid of losing Cash, like he was afraid of losing his mother.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)