Of Anse Bundren In William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

Anse Bundren, the patriarch of the Bundren family in William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, is not much of a patriarch at all. He completely rejects the traditional role of a typical father, a man who works to provide for his children and who protects them no matter what, by failing to support his five children emotionally and financially. Anse’s character faults include hypocrisy, laziness, and worst of all, manipulation of others. Those most affected by Anse’s behavior are his neighbors, Samson, Tull, Armistid, and Gillespie; his late wife, Addie; and his children, Cash, Darl, Jewel, Dewey Dell, and Vardaman. Though Anse certainly exploits his neighbors and Addie, his children are the true victims. As readers, we recognize Anse’s unbelievable selfishness and are appalled by how he takes advantage of others, which contrasts their sacrifices (particularly those of his children) for his benefit. Anse is characterized by his passivity. His shirts are never stained with sweat like his children’s, because while they are toiling in the fields, he does little to contribute to the household (Faulkner 17). Though …show more content…
Anse is an utter hypocrite. He claims to respect hard work and “good Christian” values, yet models neither. Neighbors including Tull, Samson, Armistid, and Gillespie have their property damaged and hospitality taken advantage of by Anse and his family. As his neighbors testify, Anse mistreated Addie during her life. In addition, Anse uses her death as an excuse to travel to Jefferson for a set of dentures. In Jefferson, he remarries, not long at all after burying Addie, and this comes as a total surprise to his children. Worst of all, Anse outright abuses them. He furthers Cash’s leg injury, steals from Cash, Jewel, and Dewey Dell, and is indifferent to Darl and Vardaman. The contrasts created by Anse’s faults allow readers to sympathize with the Bundren children, victims of his