In the 21st chapter of William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying," the focus shifts back to Darl Bundren, who has been absent since his release from the asylum. Darl finds his family at the river, attempting to build a raft to navigate the flooded streams. The raft-building process, led by Jewel, serves as a metaphor for the family's resilience and unity in the face of adversity.
The chapter illuminates Darl's perspective, showcasing his enhancement of reality, a trait that depicts his surreal and abstract view of life. Faulkner expertly employs Darl's narration to convey his stream-of-consciousness thoughts, painting a vivid picture of his hermetic and detached worldview.
Darl's Return and Reintegration
The chapter commences with Darl's observation of his family from a distance, indicating his detachment from the group dynamic. His detached narrative style intensifies as he Stunden das Riff ("stops the music"), illustrating his skewed perception of reality.
Darl's return and attempt to reintegrate with his family embody the theme of fragmentation and unity in the novel. His eccentric behavior and disjointed thoughts signal his inability to connect with the family, thereby highlighting the fractured nature of their unity.
Darl's Stream-of-Consciousness Narrative
Faulkner employs Darl's stream-of-consciousness technique to reveal his inner turmoil and detachment. This narrative style permits readers to scrutinize Darl's thoughts, memories, and feelings, unveiling his warped perception of the world. Darl's jump from one thought to another without transition mirrors his mental state, further emphasizing his separation from his family and reality.
This technique is evident in Darl's description of the raft-building process, where phrases like "even if we could tell time, what would it profit us?" and "if we'd not be able to tell time, what good would a watch be?" exemplify his circular and incoherent thinking patterns.
Darl's Metaphors and Symbolism
Darl's narrated events are saturated with metaphors and symbols that cloud his understanding of the world. He personifies objects and inflates their importance, further indicating his distorted perspective. For instance, he refers to the family's wagon as "the undivided second of the rigid circle'sosecond," signifying his perception of the wagon as an eternal, unchanging entity, unlike his disintegrating sense of time.
Darl employs the river - a continuous and unending entity - to romanticize his family's unity. By paralleling the river's flow with the family's unity, Darl attempts to create a sense of cohesion, glossing over the family's dysfunction and discord.
The Raft-Building Process
The river serves as a central motif in "As I Lay Dying," representing the family's struggles and resilience. In Chapter 21, the river assumes the role of an impediment, necessitating the family to build a raft to traverse it. The entire process symbolizes the Bundrens' ability to adapt and persevere despite their hardships.
The raft, which Jewel equates to a "sacred" and "darling" entity, further embodies the family's unity and love for one another. Faulkner uses the raft's pristine nature to underscore the family's shared history and collective dreams, weaved into the fabric of the makeshift structure.
The Raft as a Symbol of Family Unity
The raft serves as a powerful symbol of the Bundrens' unity, encapsulating their shared history and collective experiences. Each family member contributes to its creation, signifying their individual roles and responsibilities. Addie's addition of the water bucket, for instance, symbolizes her nurturing influence and insistence on cleanliness.
The raft's symmetry and meticulous construction coincide with the family's goal of presenting a united front. Despite their internal strife and individual flaws, the family works harmoniously to construct a functional raft, mirroring their ability to collaborate and confront their obstacles.
Jewel's Leadership and Rivalry with Darl
Jewel's assertion of control over the raft-building process underscores his alpha-male persona and his determination to protect his family. His monopoly of the situation displays his sibling rivalry with Darl, as Jewel usurps the role of patriarch, reflecting his desire to outshine Darl.
Jewel's competitive nature, already showcased in his dispute with Darl over the mule, here manifests in his eagerness to assert dominance. However, his excessive protectiveness - equating the raft to a sacred entity - hints at his underlying insecurities and fears, further complicating his character.
Ultimately, Faulkner's intricate portrayal of Darl, his stream-of-consciousness narrative, and the potent symbolism of the raft in Chapter 21 enrich the novel's central themes of family, unity, and resilience. The chapter's delve into Darl's warped perspective and the family's collective determination to navigate their challenges namely, the river - serves as a profound exploration of their shared history and individual complexities.