As I Lay Dying Character analysis on Darl
In William Faulkner’s, As I Lay Dying, Darl Bundren, is the second eldest son, at 28 years of age he narrates about one third of the book. Darl’s sixth sense and personality causes him to be alienated from his family and the townspeople. ... Darl is the unwanted son, and he is obsessed with the favorite child, Jewel. ... Darl never quite fits in, he is the black sheep of the Bundren family, and he is eventually sent away. Darl resents Jewel because he always got more attention. Darl says, “ma always whipped and petted him more” (1700). Darl knows Addie will die soon because of his clairvoyance. ... When Darl and Jewel are on the trip Darl asks Jewel, “Do you know that Addie Bundren is goin to die? ... Darl’s clairvoyance is the reason he is able to describe the scene when Addie dies. ... This gift of Darl’s had a downside; it alienates him from his family and the townspeople. Vernon Tull, his neighbor does not feel comfortable around Darl, he says that Darl, “just looks at me with those queer eyes of hisn that makes folks talk” (1738). Tull knows there is something strange about Darl when he says, “It’s like he had got inside of you, someway” (1738).