The Bundrens, as William Faulkner wrote it, unite to attain a common goal: to inter Addie’s remains in Jefferson (Mississippi), according to her wishes. The Bundrens secretly desire to fulfill their selfish ambitions, even though they obey Addie’s request. Their journey is hampered by many difficulties. The story is told by fifteen characters, each with their own perspective.
William Faulkner employs multiple narrators to tell As I Lay Dying. This allows him to show different perspectives on events and answer ethical questions. Some narrations’ motivations are obvious: Dewey Dell wants to have an abortion. Vardaman desires a toy train. Jewel is harder to understand and the only Bundren member who does not give any personal narrative following Addie’s passing. Jewel’s story is the only way the reader can understand Jewel. It may seem that Jewel was unable to comprehend why Anse would allow Jewel to give up his horse, which has been his only means of expressing his love. Jewel recognizes that he must compromise certain principles in order achieve his goals. He also becomes more open to questioning his immediate reactions to situations. It is important to look at Jewel’s relationship with both his mother Jewel and his horse. Addie and Jewel have a unique filial relationship. Jewel is the offspring of Addie Whitfield’s affair. Addie prefers Jewel to all other children because of this. Cora even hears Addie admit Jewel is “her cross” and that he will save her. He will save [her] out of the water, and fire” (168). Addie’s views on Cash and the rest are revealed by Addie herself when Addie states that “And when I discovered that I had Cash,” (171). Addie thought that having children with Anse was a way to prepare for death and not something to enjoy pleasure or love. Addie understood that as a mother she had to treat her children the same. Jewel was hated by her for deceiving others into believing she loved her equally. Addie “whipped”, or compelled Jewel to behave more in this manner, allowing her to punish him for his over-expressed affection. Jewel also learned how to love because Jewel’s only source was Addie, whose anger was a cover for her love. Jewel’s horse loves him because he is the recipient of his mother’s hard-love. Jewel’s treatment for Addie’s animal with curses and pushes combined with treats and spoils is his highest form to express his love.
Jewel’s affection for Addie is evident in his only narration. Jewel’s hostile tendencies are clearly evident, but his true intentions to do the right thing for his mother are clear. Jewel even wishes that it would be just him and his mother on a hill, rolling rocks downhill at everyone’s faces. He then picks them up and throws them down the hill. This is in response to Addie’s constant attention. Jewel, “crazy” Darl aside, is the only Bundren child to go to Jefferson to bury Addie. Jewel is in no way expressing his love for his mom. Jewel is a man who would do almost anything to help his mother. He would even go into a barn to save her coffin. Jewel’s hostile nature toward others creates doubt about his character. However, he is undoubtedly guided by one principle: To please his mother.
Jewel is forced to make a decision between his mother and his horse when Anse requests Jewel to give up his horse. Jewel must choose his horse’s mother, and bury her near Armstid’s house. Jewel could still make it to Jefferson if his mother chooses him, but Jefferson would be without the horse he loved. Jewel isn’t choosing to assist Anse. Anse just seems to have “something” that makes men want to help. Jewel does not want to help Anse. He simply recognizes that Anse’s love for her mother is more important then his love to his horse. Jewel doesn’t want to show his mother disrespect by refusing to surrender his horse.
Jewel learns a lesson by giving Snopes his horse. He discovers that his natural desire to runaway was against his overall desire to make the best of his mother’s life. He also demanded that the coffin be placed in the wagon without balancing it. This was an insult to his mother. He begins to question his responses to different situations. Jewel’s anger toward Jefferson’s man is an example of how this lesson can be applied. Jewel does not punch the man, but he apologizes for his outburst. Jewel realizes his hostility was not a win for him, but the losses are not always preventable. Jewel may now see giving up his horse as a way to reorient his outlook and act more lovingly. Jewel is not able to stop this aggression at the moment, but he will have to recover from his loss and find a way to live.
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