Robert Cuddy
Dr. Banion
AmCiv English
16 February 2016
Elements of a Journey Within stories dealing with voyages, close attention must be given toward specific themes prevalent throughout the tales. Certain events, character traits, or even narration patterns are all vital to the understanding of a piece of literature. When examining the similarities between the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, and As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner, there are key connections that can be drawn from both texts. The first theme, divine justice, is an especially interesting similarity between both stories as the characters within the two accounts seem to have their fates and actions decided by higher powers. The second theme, a journey, is quite possibly the …show more content…
As further examination shows, this theme is most definitely prevalent within both works. Within The Odyssey, characters such as Agamemnon and Odysseus have their ultimate journey decided by the Gods. A good example of divine justice is the character relationship between Poseidon and Odysseus. After Odysseus blinds Polyphemus and helps in the destruction of Troy, the almighty Poseidon utilizes his power to force Odysseus into a situation full of suffering. Odysseus, rendered utterly powerless by Poseidon, possesses no control and is influenced into repenting for his prior actions. A similar situation exists within As I Lay Dying. In the middle of the narrative, it is revealed that Addie Bundren commits a supposedly horrible sin: “While I waited for him in the woods, waiting for him before he saw me, I would think of him as dressed in sin. I would think of him as thinking of me as dressed also in sin, he the more beautiful since the garment which he had exchanged for sin was sanctified” (Faulkner 166-167). Because Addie commits and embraces sinful actions, she beckons the judgement from a higher power. As revealed beforehand in the novel, Addie succumbs to her sickness and passes away. Just as Odysseus received harsh punishment for his actions, …show more content…
Within The Odyssey, a majority of the story revolves around the difficulties the protagonist encounters while traveling across the ocean. Odysseus encounters several problems when trying to return home: unusually dangerous environmental conditions, violent encounters with foreigners, and miscellaneous trips to other continents. The collection of cascading failures pushes the protagonist to the limit of madness. However, Odysseus eventually arrives back in Ithaca and reclaims his kingship, leaving plenty of carnage in his wake. The situation within As I Lay Dying also showcases the same elements of a voyage. After the death of Addie, the tragedy drives the Bundren family to travel to Jefferson to bury her. While on the journey, a massive flooded river stands in the path of the family: “At last the trees open; against the open river Jewel sits the horse, half turned, it belly deep now. Across the river we can see Vernon and pa and Vardaman and Dewey Dell Vernon is waving at us, waving us further down stream” (Faulkner, 129). The Bundren family experiences tremendous loss after attempting to ford the river (the mules drown and Cash re-injures his leg). Other slowdowns, such as dealing with Dewey Dell’s unexpected pregnancy, Darls mental degradation, and Anse’s utter neglect for the well-being of his children propels the family into utter chaos while on the journey: “ 'It 's Cash and Jewel and Vardaman and Dewey
Dr. Banion
AmCiv English
16 February 2016
Elements of a Journey Within stories dealing with voyages, close attention must be given toward specific themes prevalent throughout the tales. Certain events, character traits, or even narration patterns are all vital to the understanding of a piece of literature. When examining the similarities between the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, and As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner, there are key connections that can be drawn from both texts. The first theme, divine justice, is an especially interesting similarity between both stories as the characters within the two accounts seem to have their fates and actions decided by higher powers. The second theme, a journey, is quite possibly the …show more content…
As further examination shows, this theme is most definitely prevalent within both works. Within The Odyssey, characters such as Agamemnon and Odysseus have their ultimate journey decided by the Gods. A good example of divine justice is the character relationship between Poseidon and Odysseus. After Odysseus blinds Polyphemus and helps in the destruction of Troy, the almighty Poseidon utilizes his power to force Odysseus into a situation full of suffering. Odysseus, rendered utterly powerless by Poseidon, possesses no control and is influenced into repenting for his prior actions. A similar situation exists within As I Lay Dying. In the middle of the narrative, it is revealed that Addie Bundren commits a supposedly horrible sin: “While I waited for him in the woods, waiting for him before he saw me, I would think of him as dressed in sin. I would think of him as thinking of me as dressed also in sin, he the more beautiful since the garment which he had exchanged for sin was sanctified” (Faulkner 166-167). Because Addie commits and embraces sinful actions, she beckons the judgement from a higher power. As revealed beforehand in the novel, Addie succumbs to her sickness and passes away. Just as Odysseus received harsh punishment for his actions, …show more content…
Within The Odyssey, a majority of the story revolves around the difficulties the protagonist encounters while traveling across the ocean. Odysseus encounters several problems when trying to return home: unusually dangerous environmental conditions, violent encounters with foreigners, and miscellaneous trips to other continents. The collection of cascading failures pushes the protagonist to the limit of madness. However, Odysseus eventually arrives back in Ithaca and reclaims his kingship, leaving plenty of carnage in his wake. The situation within As I Lay Dying also showcases the same elements of a voyage. After the death of Addie, the tragedy drives the Bundren family to travel to Jefferson to bury her. While on the journey, a massive flooded river stands in the path of the family: “At last the trees open; against the open river Jewel sits the horse, half turned, it belly deep now. Across the river we can see Vernon and pa and Vardaman and Dewey Dell Vernon is waving at us, waving us further down stream” (Faulkner, 129). The Bundren family experiences tremendous loss after attempting to ford the river (the mules drown and Cash re-injures his leg). Other slowdowns, such as dealing with Dewey Dell’s unexpected pregnancy, Darls mental degradation, and Anse’s utter neglect for the well-being of his children propels the family into utter chaos while on the journey: “ 'It 's Cash and Jewel and Vardaman and Dewey