As the perplexities commenced Darl Bundren introduces his mother, Addie and his sibling Cash and Jewel. They stay on a farm in a rural area of Mississippi in the 1920’s. Cash, a dexterous carpenter, was determined to build a coffin that surpassed all and unrivaled. He even built it while his mother …show more content…
They embark on the journey to lay their mother to rest. At this point Addie’s backstory begins simply telling us of how she didn’t really care for her husband, life, or children, Except for one Jewel. His father was the minister, Whitfield. Jewel was his mother's favorite, being especially admired after he had worked hard in their neighbor’s fields to earn enough money to purchase a horse. The horse becomes one of his most prized possessions. When the family initially starts their journey to bury their mother, it's difficult for them because they are in a state of destitution. Anse appears to be a rude guy that apparently needs a new set of teeth and Cash seems to have a fractured leg from a previous injury. Furthermore, Dewey Dell is unwed and with child and a bridge the had yet to cross was defaced due to inclement weather. With a backup plan they proceed to cross the Ford river, this further delays them as Cash breaks his leg yet again, the mules nearly drown, and the coffin almost does too. Anse determines that putting cement on Cash’s leg will aid in healing the break. Jewel is not happy to find out that Anse sells his horse and other belongings to buy a pack of mules. The family comes to rest in a farm belonging to a man named, Gillespie. Strangely, Darl burns down the barn in an attempt to cremate his mother's body but Jewel rescues the body before any damage