As I Lay Dying

by

William Faulkner

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As I Lay Dying: 47. Vardaman Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Vardaman, Darl, Jewel and Dewey Dell walk up the hill. Vardaman mentally narrates the situation in simple, declarative sentences: "Jewel came back"¦He was walking. Jewel hasn't got a horse anymore. Jewel is my brother. Cash is my brother. Cash has a broken leg." Vardaman then shifts his attention to the buzzards once again and asks Darl where they stay at night. Darl doesn't answer and Vardaman resolves that tonight, he will explore where the buzzards stay at night.
Vardaman struggles to express the particulars of his present situation, including the details of each of his sibling's personal experience. In addition to obsessing over language, Vardaman continues to obsess over the buzzards around Addie's coffin, indicating his continued interest in probing even the basest realities of his mother's death.
Themes
Mortality and the Nature of Existence Theme Icon
Language versus Action Theme Icon