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As I Lay Dying Study Guide

by William Faulkner

As I Lay Dying study guide contains a biography of William Faulkner, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

The Bundren family live on their farm in Yoknapatawpha County, a fictional rural county in Mississippi. They are incredibly poor, and the clan matriarch, Addie Bundren, is nearing death. Cash, the oldest son of the family, is a carpenter. As a last gift to his mother, he makes a coffin for her outside the window of the room where she lies dying. Anse, the family's stupid and weak patriarch, sends two sons, Darl and Jewel, on a lumber shipping job that will net the family a few extra dollars. Darl and Jewel set off, Darl knowing that it means he will not be present for his mother's death. Midtrip, they have an accident, and are forced to turn back; but Addie Bundren has already died.

Cash completes the coffin and they hold a funeral service…

Read the full As I Lay Dying Summary

• As I Lay Dying Summary
• About As I Lay Dying
• Character List
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Section 1
• Summary and Analysis of Section 2
• Summary and Analysis of Section 3
• Summary and Analysis of Section 4
• Summary and Analysis of Section 5
• Summary and Analysis of Section 6
• Summary and Analysis of Section 7
• Related Links on As I Lay Dying
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• As I Lay Dying: Major Themes
• As I Lay Dying: Essays
• As I Lay Dying: Questions
• As I Lay Dying: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• William Faulkner: Biography