Review Questions 1:  Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying

1.         Pick two main characters and answer these questions through their eyes (as a cohesive essay, not thru answers to these questions):
            A.        What is the truth?
            B.         What is real?
            C.        What is the purpose of life?

2.         Assess Addie by using her monologue and include her opinions of Anse and the children as related in her monologue.
            (Questions to help you define “assess”.)
            A.        What is true and real for Addie?
            B.         What has been the purpose of her life?
            C.        How does this relate to what Addie’s father thinks of life?
            D.        What kind of human being is Addie?
            E.         What has made her like she is?

3.         Compare Addie’s relationship to Jewel and Dell and relate this to their feelings for her.

4.         Explain Darl’s mental state in relation to his family’s mental state?

5.         List and explain each crisis of the journey.

BONUS

6.         Faulkner uses the journey motif as the method by which he explores the relationships of the Bundren family.  Further, As I Lay Dying is a psychological novel using the techniques of interior monologue and stream of consciousness to draw out the feelings and opinions of the characters to the events surrounding Addie’s death and journey to burial.  Define these two techniques; state whether the techniques are successful in your opinion and tell why or why not.  Give examples of each technique in your answer.