Analysis of the story ‘as I lay dying’ to qualify it as a satirical literary work
The application of humor in literary works has evolved from the initial intent of comedy to cover broader aspects which authors would wish to develop in the plot of the story. While comedy remains a capital genre in writing, satire as a genre affords writers the freedom to develop counter themes that go along with humor. “As I lay dying” is an ideal example of such literary works that broaden the application of humor from mere comedy to depict humanity’s selfish nature. This paper analysis the story ‘as I lay dying’ to qualify it as a satirical literary work that manifests the selfishness of various characters.
It is satirical that Ansetravels to Jefferson with the hope of fitting organic teeth. Anse wishes to impress Jefferson as a compelling tactic to sponsor him to acquire organic teeth. It is an absolute satire that an adult’s desire in life is to acquire new teeth. However, the author deploys this satirical situation to exhibit the selfishness nature of humanity. The character Anse focuses his resources and time on securing new teeth while his wife, Andie Burdren, lies on her sickbed. Andie Burdren is nearly dying while one of his sons, Anse, is busy visiting Jefferson to secure organic teeth. This phenomenon depicts the selfish nature of Anse to value teeth over the welfare of his mother.
The author uses the scene that features Anse introducing Cash, Jewel, Vardaman, and Dewey Dell to Mrs Bundren. The author highlights that Anse is overwhelmed by acquiring new teeth and he is so emotional over the issue that he cannot face his friends though he manifests his satisfaction through a smile. While this scene is humorous about how an adult could be obsessed with organic teeth, the author uses it to manifest Anse’s selfishness. The author highlights that Anse’s intention of acquiring new teeth is to improve his chances of remarrying. Anse believes that he will easily secure a lover with his new organic teeth. Anse confesses his intentions of finding a lover with the aid of his newly acquired teeth in front of his wife, Mrs. Bundren, who is critically ill. This satirical scenario is deployed by the author to develop the selfish nature of Anse in the plot of the story.
The treatment which both Vardaman and Cash accord Addie’s coffin is satirical though it sufficiently portrays selfish notions of the two characters. It is humorous and satirical that Vardaman and Cash fit the coffin with chariot wheels to improve mobility. It is funny how both characters believe that carrying Addie in her coffin is an act of benevolence. However, the author stages this scene deliberately to depict the selfishness of both characters. While it is fair to construct a coffin for the diseased, Vardaman and Cash, use the opportunity to gather praises of according Mrs. Addie a decent burial. Both Vardaman and Cash take pride in their coffin project, and they use it to attract recognition and appreciation from the community. Though this scene bears the zenith of satire in the story, it introduces the audience to Vardaman and Addie’s gross selfishness.
The author also uses the narrator’s accounts to develop a blend of humor and selfish interests. Darl narrates at the beginning of the story that she had baked cakes with the surplus eggs acquired from Miss Lawighton to earn herself an extra income only to miss buyers. It is satirical that Darl lacks customers to buy her cakes despite her massive praises on cakes quality. Though this scene is funny, it develops the selfish character of Darl as it reveals that she used surplus eggs, which could have been spoiled to bake cakes. Darl does not consider that she might be using spoiled eggs; rather, she is short-sighted by her gross greediness to make an extra income from the shoddy cake project. It is a pure satire that Darl lacks even a single customer for her cakes despite her shrewdness in preparing the cakes.
More satire is manifested in the story as Vardaman bores holes on Addie’s coffin. Andaman postulates that his act would allow Addie some more comfort in the coffin. It is grotesque to make ventilation holes on a coffin, and yet it contains a copse. However, Vardaman’s act is guided by the desire to attract praises from commentators on the decency of burial accorded to Addie. While the author uses Vardaman’s actions to develop the theme of satire in the plot, the malicious intentions of Vardaman to attract praises over a decent coffin manifests the magnitude of selfishness in the story. It is selfish to take pride in unfortunate situations such as mourning.
Besides, the timing of Dewey Dell’s pregnancy is strategically plotted by the author to develop satire and to reveal the unfathomable selfishness of humanity. Dewey Dell visits Jefferson in an attempt to terminate her pregnancy. It is funny that while Addie is struggling for breath on her death bed, her daughter is practically attracting death by attempting an abortion. Dewey Dell does not appreciate the life of the unborn child she bares while her own mother is almost dying on her bed. Analytically, the contrast of preferences for life depicted in this scenario is significantly ridiculous. In addition, Dewey Dell’ intention is strategically depicted by the author to manifest the selfish nature of humanity. It is selfish to deny an unborn child the privilege of living while one is still enjoying life.
After Anse’s family is nearly washed away by the river in an attempt to cross with Addie coffin, Darl suggests that the coffin and her mother’s remains should be burned in a family barn as a sign of a decent burial. Anse is bitter with Darl’s act of throwing the coffin into a burn and orders that Darl should be taken to an asylum. It is humorous that Anse beliefs a decent burial for his wife would be carrying her decomposing coffin around. It is satirical that Anse thinks that Darl is critically insane for incriminating her decomposing mother while the act was logical. Moreover, taking Darl to an asylum for throwing the coffin in fire is an act of selfishness by Anse. It is selfish for a father to order the lockdown of a grieving daughter.
Further, Addie’s promise to Anse that she would be buried in Jefferson town is used by the author to develop the satirical nature of the storyline. It is this promise that compels Anse to transport the decomposing coffin of Addie from the onset. It is grotesque that Anse wishes to appease the wishes of his wife even when she is dead. It is funny that Anse believes burying Addie in Jefferson will please her even in death. On the other hand, the author deploys this scenario to blend satire with the characters’ selfish nature. It is selfish for Addie to demand a burial in Jefferson despite being poor. Addie does not consider the hustles that his family would undergo to afford to bury her in Jefferson town. The inconveniences caused by Anse’s family in the attempt to grant the greedy wishes of Addie depict the selfish character of Addie even in her death.
Conclusively, the application of humor in the novel ‘as I lay dying’ qualifies the literature work as satirical. The author has coiled humor with various scenarios that manifest the selfish nature of characters in the storyline. It is a satire that, despite Anse advanced age, his greatest desire in life is to secure organic teeth that would allow him to marry another younger wife. It is selfish for Anse to travel to Jefferson in search of teeth while his wife, Addie, is critically ill and nearly dying. It is satirical that Vardaman and Cash wheel Addie coffin to improve its mobility. The humor is that the two characters are treating the coffin as a family asset other than burying it. It is selfish for Vardaman and Cash to expect praises and regards for wheeling the mothers’ coffin.
It is grotesque that Darl baked the best cakes in her life to sell, only to lack any buyer. Though Darl goes to the trouble of acquiring eggs for the baking, it is laughable that at last, not a single customer bought the cakes. Besides, Darl used surplus eggs acquired from Miss Lawington without checking whether they are spoiled or not. This scene depicts the selfish nature of Darl as a character. It is funny how Vardaman makes holes on a coffin containing a corpse. Besides, expecting praise from commentators for such as action is a show of selfishness on Vardaman. Dewey Dell satirically attempts an abortion to terminate life while her mother is battling for life on her death bed. It is humorous how one character perceives the worthlessness of human life while, on another end, another character struggles for breath. In addition, it is a selfish act by Dewey Dell to attempt an abortion and denying the baby a chance to live. The author’s application of satire in the plot highlights the selfish trait of various characters in the story.