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As I Lay Dying . Characters. Addie Bundren. She’s the dead lady that Cash is making the coffin for. Mother of Cash, Jewel, Dewey Dell, Darl and Vardaman (who at one point suggests that she is a fish) Former schoolteacher—bitter about her life with husband Anse Favors Jewel among her kids.
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As I Lay Dying Characters
Addie Bundren • She’s the dead lady that Cash is making the coffin for. • Mother of Cash, Jewel, Dewey Dell, Darl and Vardaman (who at one point suggests that she is a fish) • Former schoolteacher—bitter about her life with husband Anse • Favors Jewel among her kids. • Doesn’t have much to say in the book but more than you might expect from a dead person.
Anse Bundren • He’s the dad, a poor farmer. • Hunchback • Lazy, self-pitying, incredibly selfish • Not in the running for “Father of the Year” • Not held in high regard by those who know him
Cash Bundren • Oldest Bundren offspring • Skilled and careful carpenter • Stoic and selfless, the opposite of his dad • His stoicism gets a little ridiculous at the end. • As close to normal as the Bundrens get
Darl Bundren • Next oldest after Cash • The sensitive “artistic” Bundren • Articulate, which makes his sections interesting but sometimes difficult • More than any of the others, Darl is bummed about hauling dead Mom’s coffin all over the countryside
Jewel Bundren • Illegitimate child of Addie and the local minister. • Like another ministerial mistake, Pearl, he is very willful • A little hard to understand his motivation sometimes • Dedicated to the coffin idea • Your view of him will change by the end of the novel.
Dewey Dell Bundren • Only daughter • 17 and secretly pregnant • Desperate to end the pregnancy • 100% ignorant of biological issues
Vardaman Bundren • Youngest child • Seems, at first, to be a little mentally challenged, but by the end you understand him better. • Strangely connects his dead mom with a dead fish—this does not speak well of either the mom or the fish
Vernon Tull • A neighbor to the Bundrens • Also a farmer but a more successful one • Helps the Bundrens but is a critic of the dad • Comparatively reliable voice in the book
Cora Tull • Vernon’s wife • Deeply religious—to the point that it can cloud her judgement • Is with Addie when Addie dies • Thinks Addie was impious, sinful, and full of pride
Cast of thousands • There are 8 or 10 more characters that inhabit this novel. • I know it seems like a lot of folks to keep track of, but you will come to know the Bundrens so well that they will be easy. • These other characters all have their function in the novel but are minor compared to the Bundrens and the Tulls.