Summary and analysis of William Faulkner’s novel, `As I Lay Dying.`
This paper summarizes the storyline of William Faulkner’s novel about a woman’s dying wish. The paper discusses the relationships of the characters in the story, the decay of the family, and the symbolism of the burning barn.
`As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner explores the dynamics within a family who prepares to fulfill the dying request of the matriarch, Addie. Her request is to be buried in Jefferson, and her surviving family prepares to make the arduous journey from the rural town Yoknawpatapha. The hardships experienced on this journey serves to reveal the decay begun by Addie’s act of adultery with a minister. The result of this act is inner familial decay through a lack of love on Addie’s part. At her death the decay worsens, and is symbolized by the burning barn.`