As I Lay Dying (a.k.a. As I Lay Drying) is a novel written by the American author William Faulkner. The novel was published in 1930, and Faulkner described it as a "tour de force." It is Faulkner's fifth novel and is read in schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other English-speaking countries. The title derives from Book XI of Homer's The Odyssey, wherein Agamemnon speaks to Odysseus: "As I lay dying, the woman with the dog's eyes would not close my eyes as I descended into Hades."

The novel is known for its stream of consciousness writing technique, multiple narrators, and varying chapter lengths; the shortest chapter in the book consists of just five words. Faulkner wrote the novel in six weeks without changes on a table fashioned from a wheelbarrow while working the 6PM-6AM shift at a coal-fired power plant.

Plot summary

The book is told in stream of consciousness style by 15 different narrators in 59 chapters. It is the story of the death of Addie Bundren and her family's quest — noble or selfish — to honor her wish to be buried in the town of Jefferson. As is the case in much of Faulkner's work, the story is set in Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, which Faulkner referred to as "my apocryphal county," a fictional rendering of the writer's home of Lafayette County in that same state.

Characters

• Addie Bundren — Addie is the wife of Anse and the mother of Cash, Darl, Jewel, Dewey Dell, and Vardaman. She had an extramarital affair with her preacher Reverend Whitfield which led to the conception and birth of her third child, Jewel. For his illegitimacy, Addie favors Jewel over her other children, as explained in a flashback ominously spoken from the dead. As revenge for her hatred of Anse, she makes Anse promise her that he will have her buried in Jefferson, knowing that the journey will be long and difficult.
• Anse Bundren — Anse is Addie's widower, the father of all the children but Jewel. Anse is portrayed as lazy and greedy by various characters. He is under (or merely disseminates) the impression that he cannot work because he had a horrible illness as a child, and breaking a sweat will result in his death. He views going to Jefferson as an excuse to get a pair of false teeth, and after Addie's burial he hastily remarries.
• Cash Bundren — Cash is a skilled and helpful carpenter and the eldest son of the family. He is most likely between the ages of 27 and 29. In the beginning of the book, he is a complete utilitarian, his first chapter showing a thought process similar to a manual. Addie loves Cash because he is the first child she feels a real connection with, as shown in the chapter she narrates. As Addie's death approaches, she watches him build her coffin through the bedroom window. Though some characters criticize his proximity as distasteful and discourteous, Cash insists that she enjoys monitoring his work. During the funeral, Addie's body is placed reversed into the coffin by the town women who have attended her funeral, so that her burial dress fans out in the space where her head should be. Although Cash does not say anything to the women, he is very uneasy and upset about this, as he has put a lot of hard work to create the coffin in a way that fits his mother's weight and height perfectly; the misplacement of her body in the box causes the coffin to become off-balance. During the novel, Cash breaks his leg, which was previously broken when he fell off a church roof. Anse attempts to "fix it" by pouring cement over the broken leg. The cement heats and swells, essentially cooking Cash's leg and cutting off blood flow. The family, realizing that his foot will soon fall off, begins to chip away at the cement, obviously causing Cash an enormous amount of pain. After he falls into the river, Cash begins to move away from pure utilitarianism, and by the end of the book he becomes an example of balance between intellectualism and utilitarianism.
• Darl Bundren — The second eldest of Addie's children, Darl is about two years younger than Cash. He is extremely aware of details, and can read people incredibly. However, he sometimes uses these to taunt his family, such as when he asks Jewel "Who is your father, Jewel?". Darl is an example of pure intellectualism. He is always thinking, but the accounts of other characters show that he does very little actual work. He is initially perhaps the sanest one in the novel despite his knowledge that the journey to bury his mother's body in Jefferson is madness. Many people, especially Vernon Tull, tend to view Darl as strange. He attempts to burn Addie in her coffin in the barn in an attempt to put an end to the disgrace to his mother, a fate from which Jewel saves her (in order to fulfill her wishes). Darl is the most articulate character and objective narrator in the book, therefore narrates 19 of the 59 chapters. At the end of the novel, Darl is sent to a mental facility in Jackson, for burning down a barn in the effort to do away with Addie's coffin.
• Jewel Bundren — Jewel is the third of the Bundren children, and is most likely around eighteen years of age. He is a half-brother to the other children and the favorite of Addie. He is the illegitimate son of Addie and Reverend Whitfield. The novel reveals that Jewel, after sneaking off every night and clearing several acres of his neighbor's land in order to make the money, has bought a spotted horse. His ne'er-do-well "father", Anse, disapproves of this, complaining that he'd have to feed the horse. Jewel tells Anse that he would kill his horse before it ate any of Anse's food. After the mule team drowns as the family attempts to cross the dangerously flooded river, Anse bargains his children's money as well as Jewel's horse to pay for a new team. Whereas Vardaman equates Addie after death with a fish, Darl represents the situation as it bears on Jewel with the phrase: "Jewel's mother is a horse." Jewel shows a strong work ethic, and he highly values independence. He is very subjective, and often shows strong feelings of anger towards his family and animals.
• Dewey Dell Bundren — Dewey Dell is the only daughter of Anse and Addie Bundren, and is seventeen years old. She is the second youngest of the Bundren children. She is caught in a particularly problematic situation when she becomes pregnant with the baby of a local farmhand, Lafe MacCallum. She, Darl, and Lafe are the only characters who initially know about the pregnancy. Dewey Dell is afraid and desperate for an abortion, but is unable to pay for it with the ten dollars given to her by Lafe. She goes to a pharmacist in Jefferson, but is instead treated by a soda jerk named Skeet MacGowan. With dishonest intentions in mind, the "pharmacist" aims to take advantage of Dewey Dell. He provides her with random medication that he claims will help with her problem as well as his own "treatment," which is in fact rape. Dewey Dell is the one that notifies the authorities of Darl's arson.
• Vardaman Bundren — Vardaman is the youngest Bundren child, and estimates of his age vary widely. He is present as his mother takes her last breath, and from that moment on faces trauma and confusion as he struggles to understand what has happened. Vardaman goes through delusional periods in which he believes that his mother is still alive, in the form of a fish that he had caught, and goes as far as drilling holes in the top of her coffin so that she can "breathe." Given his young age it is only natural that he equates the death of his mother with his only other experience of the phenomenon; the death of fish he catches. He wants to buy a red toy train when he gets to Jefferson, but when he arrives it is not in the store window.
• Vernon Tull — Vernon is a good friend of the Bundrens. He appears in the book to be an average farmer who is not as religious as his wife but often agrees with her. He owns a house and farm near the Bundren house and had a bridge spanning a river that had to be crossed to reach Jefferson. It breaks as a result of heavy flooding, forcing the Bundrens to cross at the ford. A log hits the wagon, tipping it over. This causes Cash to become injured.
• Cora Tull — Cora is the wife of Vernon Tull. She is a neighbor of Addie's who is with her at her death. Cora is very self-righteous and focuses more on her own salvation and "Christian duty" than she actually does on people. She is very judgmental, and often shows herself to be a hypocrite in the process of judging other people's actions.
• Lafe — Lafe is a local farmer who, in the course of having intimate relations with Dewey Dell, impregnates her. Dewey Dell states that Lafe gave her money to get an abortion; he does not want to be responsible for his actions.

Literary techniques

Throughout the novel, Faulkner presents fifteen different points of view, each chapter narrated by one character, including Addie, who after dying, expresses her thoughts from the coffin. In 59 chapters titled only by their narrators' names, the characters are developed gradually through each other's perceptions and opinions, Darl's predominating.

Like James Joyce before him, Faulkner stands among the pioneers of stream of consciousness. He first used the technique in The Sound and the Fury, and it gives As I Lay Dying its distinctly intimate tone, through the monologues of the tragically flawed Bundrens and the passers-by they encounter. The story helped found the Southern Renaissance and directs a great deal of effort as it progresses to reflections on being and existence, the existential metaphysics of everyday life.

The one chapter narrated by Addie Bundren helped bring issues of feminism and motherhood in literature to the fore, as her voice is clearly expressed only after her death. Except for Jewel and Cash, Addie either dislikes or acts dismissively toward all her children. Jewel and Cash are profoundly affected by her regard for them.

References

External links

• As I Lay Dying, via Internet Archive (scanned books, original editions).
• On publishing the novel
• Literapedia Page

As I Lay Dying is a Grammy-nominated metalcore band from San Diego, California. Formed in 2001, the band's line-up consists of vocalist Tim Lambesis, drummer Jordan Mancino, lead guitarist Nick Hipa, rhythm guitarist Phil Sgrosso, and bassist Josh Gilbert, all of whom are Christians. Signed to Metal Blade Records, As I Lay Dying has released four studio albums, one split album, and one compilation album.

As I Lay Dying's 2007 release An Ocean Between Us peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200, and number 1 on the Top Rock chart. The band has performed at Wacken Open Air, With Full Force, Soundwave Festival, Sounds of the Underground, Warped Tour, and Taste of Chaos. In 2007, As I Lay Dying won the "Ultimate Metal God" award from MTV2 at the first annual "All That Rocks" special, and was nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award for the song "Nothing Left", though the award went to Slayer for "Final Six".

History

Early, Beneath the Encasing of Ashes and split album (2001−2003)

After leaving the band Society's Finest where he played guitar, vocalist Tim Lambesis formed As I Lay Dying in 2000. Starting out as a trio with guitarist Evan White and drummer Jordan Mancino, Lambesis said the band's name comes from the novel As I Lay Dying written by William Faulkner.

Record label Pluto Records took interest and offered AILD a recording contract. After accepting the offer, one month later the band entered the recording studio to record its first album Beneath the Encasing of Ashes, which was released in June 2001. In 2002, the band recorded five songs for a split album on Pluto Records, with San Diego heavy metal band American Tragedy. The band realized it needed to expand to a five-piece to include another guitarist and a bassist. Mancino commented "we started going on tour and we needed obviously more people than that." The band experienced several line-up changes with bassists, Noah Chase left in 2001, and Aaron Kennedy departed in 2003. Guitarist White left in 2003, as did Jason Krebs in the same year.

Frail Words Collapse (2003−2004)

As I Lay Dying's contract with Pluto Records had expired and the band was free to pursue other record labels. After extensive touring and an increase in popularity, As I Lay Dying was offered a record deal with Metal Blade Records in March 2003. The band accepted the offer and Pluto Records owner Brian Cobbel was supportive of the band moving to Metal Blade. Lambesis commented "since we've been on the label, they've really gone out of their way to market us differently than they've marketed other bands in the past and have really pushed us as a newer sound for the label."

In July 2003, the band's second studio album, Frail Words Collapse was released. Produced by Lambesis, the album peaked at number 30 on the Top Independent Albums, and number 41 on the Top Heatseekers chart. William York of Allmusic thought the band "doesn't really add anything new to the mix from a musical standpoint" with the release, although praised it for being "solid enough and well executed, and the production is adequate." Sherwin Frias of Jesus Freak Hideout had similar sentiments and commented "As I Lay Dying didn't exactly break many boundaries in making this record", but praised that each song is "executed so well (and with such precision) that nary a song misses its target." Touring followed to promote the album with the bands Himsa, Shadows Fall, The Black Dahlia Murder, Killswitch Engage, In Flames, and Hatebreed. Music videos for the songs "94 Hours" and "Forever" received rotation on the networks of FUSE and MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.

Shadows Are Security (2005−2006)

As I Lay Dying entered Big Fish recording studio in Encinitas, California in January 2005 to records its third studio album. Shadows Are Security was released in June, and debuted at number 1 on the Top Independent Albums. It was the band's first release to enter the Billboard 200 at number 35. Wade Kergan of Allmusic called it "one of the strongest releases of 2005," and commented that new guitarists Phil Sgrosso and Nick Hipa, make the band "stronger." Rod Smith of Decibel Magazine commented "Tim Lambesis’ finely honed roar in bittersweet instrumental matrices augmented by occasional clean vocals. Guitarists Phil Sgrosso and Nicholas Hipa whip up a melodic cyclone on 'The Darkest Nights'."

As I Lay Dying began touring to promote the new record by making appearances at Hell on Earth, Winter Headline Tour, Ozzfest, and a tour with Slipknot and Unearth. The band was on the second stage alongside Rob Zombie, Killswitch Engage, Mastodon, The Haunted, and It Dies Today. At the fee of $75,000 the band could have chosen to perform on the headliners stage but refused the offer as they thought it was not worth the money. The band raised its profile in 2006 through its support slot on the Taste of Chaos tour in the US alongside bands such as Deftones, Thrice, Dredg, Funeral for a Friend and Story of the Year. In the summer of 2006 As I Lay Dying closed the Sounds of the Underground Festival.

In May 2006, Beneath the Encasing of Ashes and the songs from the split album were re-released as A Long March: The First Recordings through Metal Blade Records. The album contained the original and re-recordings of the songs from the split album, and was released as the band preferred to re-release the material rather than have fans pay large sums of money to listen to early releases. The re-release peaked at number 3 on the Top Independent Albums, and 129 on the Billboard 200. Bassist Clint Norris left the band on good terms in November 2006 with the desire to focus on his marriage. The band auditioned ten bassists, although proved unsuccessful. Lambesis received demo tapes from a band called This Endearing, featuring bassist Josh Gilbert. Lambesis wanted to "sit on it" and wait for the band to record more material. However, This Endearing disbanded and Gilbert flew in and was recruited as the new bassist.

An Ocean Between Us (2007−present)

In 2007, As I Lay Dying started recording a new album titled An Ocean Between Us, which was released on August 21, 2007. Debuting at number 8 on the Billboard 200, and number 1 on the Top Rock chart with first-week sales of 39,000, the album was the highest charting release for the band. Co-produced by Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz and As I Lay Dying, and mixed by Colin Richardson, the album received generally positive reviews. Christa L. Titus of Billboard commented "Whatever the differences between As I Lay Dying's personal desires and what its fans demand, this album surely acts as a bridge," praising the song "Comfort Betrays" for its guitar solo. Scott Alisoglu of Blabbermouth.net described the album as "a well-rounded and often thrashy metalcore album, as the band has struck an effective balance between aggression and accessible melodies." Thom Jurek of Allmusic praised the band for expanding its musical range by including melodic choruses and clean vocals such as they had previously done on Confined from Shadows Are Security. This album is argued by some to be more of a thrash and heavy metal album, and less of a metalcore album than Frail Words Collapse and Shadows are Security, although some elements of metalcore still shine through.

To promote the album, As I Lay Dying performed at the Warped Tour 2007 in August, and toured through Europe in September with Darkest Hour, Himsa, and Maroon. The band was awarded "Ultimate Metal God" by MTV2's "All That Rocks", and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of "Best Metal Performance" for the song "Nothing Left". Other nominees included Slayer (who won the award), King Diamond, Machine Head, and Shadows Fall. They are playing some of the 2008 Warped Tour. Also the Taste of Chaos UK with headliners Atreyu.

Christian faith

Although As I Lay Dying is often considered a Christian band, Tim Lambesis stated on the band's FAQ, "I'm not sure what the difference is between five Christians playing in a band and a Christian band." He also mentioned that the lyrics to most songs "are about life, struggles, mistakes, relationships and other issues that don't fit entirely in the spiritual category." However, he still considers As I Lay Dying a Christian metal band.

Tours

In summer of 2007 As I Lay Dying performed at the 2007 Warped Tour. In the fall they embarked on a headlining tour with support from All That Remains, Haste the Day, and Through the Eyes of the Dead.

In 2008 in Australia As I Lay Dying joined the lineup of Soundwave during February and March 2008 alongside bands Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Bleeding Through, Haste the Day, and Carpathian.

In 2008 the band played in Dubai for the annual Dubai Desert Rock Festival.

They will also be playing the 2008 Wacken Open Air festival as well as the Bloodstock Open Air festival.

The band will be making a one-month appearance again on the 2008 Warped Tour from its June 20 to July 18 dates.

Also, As I Lay Dying will be headlining the Philadelphia stage at the 2008 Revelation Generation festival held in New Jersey on August 30.

Band members

Current

• Tim Lambesis − vocals (2001−present)
• Jordan Mancino − drums (2001−present)
• Phil Sgrosso − lead guitar (2003−present)
• Nick Hipa − lead guitar (2004−present)
• Josh Gilbert − bass guitar, clean vocals (2007−present)Former
• Noah Chase − bass (2001)
• Aaron Kennedy − bass (2003)
• Evan White − rhythm guitar (2001−2003)
• Jason Krebs − guitar (2003)
• Clint Norris − bass, clean vocals (yet never recorded) (2003−2006)
• Mitchell RObinson - guitar

Discography

Albums

Date of release	Title	Label	Billboard 200 peak
June 12, 2001	Beneath the Encasing of Ashes	Pluto
June 18, 2002	As I Lay Dying/American Tragedy (split)	Pluto
July 1, 2003	Frail Words Collapse	Metal Blade	#30 (Independent)
June 14, 2005	Shadows Are Security	Metal Blade	#35
May 16, 2006	A Long March: The First Recordings (compilation)	Metal Blade	#129
August 21, 2007	An Ocean Between Us	Metal Blade	#8

References

External links

• As I Lay Dying official site
• As I Lay Dying at Metal Blade Records
• As I Lay Dying interview with Phil Sgrosso on Skartnak.com (French)
• MTV News interviews Tim Lambesis about his side project, Austrian Death Machine