Guest Blogger: Sam M.

Blog Post for March 30, 2010
William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying uses many perspectives to show a journey of the Bundren family to the city. Two of these perspectives belong to Cora and Vernon Tull, neighbors of the Bundren family. Cora comes in first, with her debut in the second chapter of the novel. Cora is the Christian zealot of the novel. About every other thought she has regards God or sin, and she regularly criticizes and scolds others for their perceived impiety. For example, at one point, Cora is having a flashback in which she talks to Addie Bundren about religion. Addie acknowledges her sin and is ready to accept a just punishment, and Cora replies “Who are you, to say what is and what is not sin? It is the Lord’s part to judge...” (Faulkner 167). It seems that Cora is more interested in being able to hold higher moral ground than actually acknowledging that Addie is a decent person. Addie does know her sin, and she accepts the punishment, which would normally be viewed as noble, but Cora turns it into a matter of Addie questioning God’s authority and insight into the human mind. Cora’s desire to hold this moral authority also stems from her simple dislike of the Bundren family as a whole. The only one she actually likes is Darl, whom she says is the only one besides his mother with “natural affection” (Faulkner 21). Cora finds Addie somewhere in the middle, as Cora sees that natural affection in her, but frequently criticizes her for loving Jewel more than Darl. The rest of the family is simply abominable in Cora’s mind. She characterizes them as greedy and heartless.
While Cora sits on the sidelines judging, Vernon continually helps the Bundren family. There is evidently a history of charity to the Bundrens, as shown when Vernon thinks, “Like most folks around here, I done holp him so much already I can’t quit now.” (Faulkner 33). In addition to showing that many people in the area help the Bundrens, this thought reveals that Vernon doesn’t really feel the urge to help out of goodwill, but more the feeling that if he doesn’t help more, all of his previous efforts would be a waste. That said, Vernon is shown to be a pretty good guy simply due to his continued help, despite the lack of gratitude by the Bundren family.
The Tulls are two very different people. Cora sits on the sidelines, judging and hating and trying to keep a moral authority, while Vernon actually helps the Bundrens, despite their lack of gratitude.