When following the Bundren journey, you must follow the three T’s: Teeth, Tummies, and Tying the Knot! These seemingly unrelated desires drive the Bundren family's bizarre odyssey. William Faulkner defies all expectations and delves into the intricate web of grief and family dynamics through his distinctive style of writing. In Faulkner's novel, As I Lay Dying, the use of these themes is shown as the Bundren family grapples with the aftermath of mother and wife, Addie Bundren's passing. Faulkner's unconventional storytelling is evident as the family travels through rural Mississippi to honor Addie's final wish of being buried in her hometown of Jefferson. As the Bundren navigate treacherous terrain and endure unexpected hardships, the true…show more content… In the novel, Dewey Dell is introduced grappling with her sexual encounter with Lafe that led to an unwanted pregnancy. Despite her nervousness, she ultimately agrees to have sex because she “could not help it” (Faulkner 17). Dewey Dell narrates in a stream of consciousness, frantically jumping from one thought to another without a clear direction, as she struggles to come to terms with her mother's imminent death. Addie's doctor, Peabody, arrives at the Bundren's place. After a brief time, Addie passes away and Dewey Dell impulsively throws herself onto Addie, holding her tightly. However, soon after her mother's death, Dewey Dell once again reflects on her relationship with Lafe and the resulting pregnancy. She then thinks of how much Peabody could do for her: “He is Lafe and I am Dewey Dell, and when mother died I had to go beyond and outside of me and Lafe and Darl to grieve because he could do so much for me and he didn’t know it” (Faulkner 35). This is one of the first instances in which Dewey Dell displays her selfishness following Addie’s death. Dewey Dell's preoccupied thoughts about her pregnancy, concerns about Lafe, and disappointment in Peabody's potential assistance, if he was aware of her condition, highlight her self-centered nature. She begins to doubt the reality…show more content… In the novel, Anse Bundren is portrayed as a character who avoids hard work and convinces himself that others will take responsibility in his place. Darl clarifies that Anse manages to escape the consequences of his laziness by irrationally convincing himself that he will die if he exerts any physical effort. This demonstrates how Anse allows carelessness to overcome him. Another instance of Anse's negligence is seen after Addie's death, where he reacts awkwardly and selfishly by stating, “‘God’s will be done,’ he says. ‘Now I can get them teeth’” (Faulkner 30). Anse's actions of expressing relief about getting new teeth now that Addie has passed, instead of offering comfort, reveal that his priorities revolve around his desires rather than anything else. At the end of the novel, Cash's final words expose the true nature of Anse Bundren. Not only does Anse return to his family with a new set of teeth, but he also introduces a new wife moments after burying Addie in Jefferson. These actions display Anse's cunningness: he knows how to manipulate people to his benefit. By consistently taking advantage of others, Anse appears to be the only character who successfully attains his desires. Anse's consistent use of deceit and his exploitation of his family's money
