How the tapestry of As I Lay Dying's narrative perfects the hero's journey
In As I Lay Dying , we see the Bundrens under scrutiny by a myriad of perspectives, each one a testament to the absolute absurdity of the situation that the protagonists find themselves in. Faulkner, in using this set of incredibly varied perspective is able to provide a foil to the main cast at any moment without needing to formally introduce consistently new characters, as well as allowing for Faulkner's characterization- the most striking part of his work, as well as most modernist literature- to shine through. The very first chapter of AILD introduces us to Darl, the main narrator of the story. He provides an almost omniscient view of the world around him, hence Faulkner's preference for using him. Moreover, Darl's chapters are very emotionally charged. Faulkner, through Darl as well as other characters, can portray the more emotionally charged rendition of events with Darl as the narrator, and once readers have been hooked in and processed the depth and gravity ...
