As I Lay Dying

617 Words3 Pages
Many mothers, regardless of age or situation, share similar views. They all share the common goal of raising their children well and creating an environment of love, nurture, and support. They channel their unceasing effort and try to instill good values in hope that their children would become successful. However, this is not the case for all women, as portrayed in the novel As I Lay Dying. Using the technique of first person narrative with alternating perspectives, William Faulkner adds verisimilitude to the characters of Cora Tull and Addie Bundren. Their first person narratives give the reader insight into the contrasting views of Cora and Addie. Cora and Addie are both mothers, they serve as a foil to each other because of their different views on religion, motherhood, and life. One main factor of disagreement between Cora and Addie is religion. Cora is a very pious woman because she refers to God in all of her narratives. Her adamant belief that only God has the power to judge sin is shown when she says, “It is the Lord’s part to judge; ours to praise His mercy and His holy name in the hearing of our fellow mortals because He alone can see into the heart” (pg. 167). Cora also believes that as vile sinners, humans must repent and give praise to the Lord. Addie, on the other hand, has the diametric view to Cora’s view on religion. She trusts in her own judgment of sin in her life. She even substitutes Jewel, her favorite child, as her Savior when she says, “He is my cross and he will by my salvation” (pg. 168). Cora loathes Addie’s impiety and religious views. Another factor that emphasizes the difference between Cora and Addie is motherhood. Cora expresses her view on motherhood when she says, “A woman’s place is with her husband and children, alive or dead” (pg. ). She believes that God gave women the duty of being good wives and mothers and fostering their
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