burdenousbundrens

[burdenousbundrens]

@Darl Could've given a proper burial to Addie if you'd let me done so 😒 @Jewel

Photo(s) Explanation: As said by Cash, Darl had burnt down the barn in an effort to end the journey--partly because he believed that it was God's will to do so, but mostly because he believed that Addie would want it the most. Hence, he viewed his burning as an act of heroism rather than arson because it allowed Addie to rest peacefully.

[burdenousbundrens]

@Darl

Photo(s) Explanation: The dominating theme in Darl's chapters is human existence. He questions that current existence of his now-dead mother, which in turn prompts him to question his own existence and belonging in this world. This reoccurring thoughts of existences indicates his desire to understand his belonging in the world and, like Vardaman, to further understand the concept of death and existence.

#IAmIs

[burdenousbundrens]

@Addie

Photo(s) Explanation: In Addie's chapter, she makes it clear that she detests her marriage with Anse and vows to take revenge on Anse for violating her aloneness. She philosophizes about the meaning of life, concluding its purpose was to get prepared to die. Her preparation for death and dislike towards her family suggests that the journey to Jefferson was not to honor her legacy, but to get away from the family that had failed to fulfill her. Although not directly stated in her chapter, the monolgues of Darl and Cora reveal that the only child that Addie favors is Jewel (whose birth was a result of adultery). Addie's persevering love for Jewel indicated her underlying desire to create a new life and break the societal norms of an obedient wife.

#GetAwayFromMeAnse

[burdenousbundrens]

@DeweyDell

@Peabody 👀

Photo(s) Explanation: Throughout the journey, Dewey Dell's monologues have been occupied by her pregnancy and her desire for an abortion that was illegal at the time.

It is shown that she does not want her family members to know of her pregnancy, and so she views Darl as an immediate threat to her (since he was the only one who knew of her pregnancy). Furthermore, she rejects Moseley's rejection of marriage with Lafe. Dewey Dell's refusal to make her relationship with Lafe public suggest that she--like Addie--does not want the title of a wife nor a mother imposed on her by society. Hence, this indicates her underlying desire to be free and independent from societal norms.

#Peabody 👀

[burdenousbundrens]

@Vardaman Where did ma go?!??!!?

Photo(s) Explanation: For the majority of Vardaman's monologues, he associates his mothers death to the fish he had cut up prior to her death. His persistence on trying to understand the concept of death demonstrates his motive in participating in the journey: to see what death is.

On a different note, it is also evident that Vardaman loves his mother. This can be indicated when Vardaman hits Peabody's horses because to him, it was the horses that caused his mother's passing.

[burdenousbundrens]

@Vardaman

Photo Explanation: Through different monologues, it is shown that Vardaman isn't given a lot of attention nor love from any family members. He's simply left wandering in dark, trying to comprehend complex ideas such as death and his family's strange dynamic. Moreover, his idolization of his two elder brothers indicates that he sees his family as "normal" and "perfect," which also suggests his underlying desire for a warmer family.

[burdenousbundrens]

@Vardaman

Will Santa Claus bring the toy train to town? @DeweyDell

#IWantMyTrain

[burdenousbundrens]

@Jewel

Photo(s) Explanation: Despite Jewel's lack of direct affection towards his kin, it's evident that he has an affinity for Addie (his only true parent). Although he doesn't express it overtly to Addie, he does so through the horse he bought with his own hardwork and with the help of Addie's cover-ups.

Through Darl's and Addie's monologue, it is also suggested that the Addie's and Jewel's desires are closely related in that they both want independence from the Bundren family.

#LeaveMeWithMa

[burdenousbundrens]

@Anse

Photo Explanation: In several instances, Anse uses his patriarchal power to take the possessions of his own children in order to achieve his own desires. This can especially seen in the perspective of Dewey Dell when Anse forcefully takes the money that Lafe gave to her in order to buy himself new teeth.

#MyWayOrTheHighWay

[burdenousbundrens]

@Anse

Photo(s) Explanation: At the end of the journey and Addie's burial, Anse swiftly replaces Addie's maternal role with Mrs. Bundren. The fact that Anse is quick to discard his memories with Addie for a new woman implies his lack of dedication to his wife. It also suggests that he views Addie's burial as another obstacle for him to get through in order to get a new life rather than as something to honor her.

Furthermore, Cash describes Anse to be suited and well-groomed which contrasts with the earlier descriptions of him. This suggests that Anse's underlying desire is to move up the social classes in order to avoid work (which, earlier in the novel, he evaded work by claiming that working would kill him).

#NewWifeNewLife

[burdenousbundrens]

@Anse I finally got me teeth. Now I can eat some food that God intended for me to eat.

#GetThemTeeth

[burdenousbundrens]

@Cash Only the best coffin for my ma @AddieBundren

Photo Explanation: Although Cash doesn't overtly show his affection towards Addie, he does show it through his construction of the coffin. He continuously works on the coffin all in an effort to complete before his mother's death. Moreover, he frequently checks for Addie's approval of the coffin, purposefully maneuvering himself to be in front of Addie's window. This constant need for approval of the coffin parallels with Cash's underlying desire to be loved and approved by his distanced mother.

#RestInPeaceComfortablyMa

[burdenousbundrens]

@Cash Good thing Jewel got my tools back. I like fixin' things and making things right.

Wish Anse hadn't taken my 5 dollars. Could've gotten me a graphophone :[

Photo(s) Explanation: As told by other characters, Cash is a man of action, charity, and selflessness:

He insisted on having the coffin beveled despite the fact that it was heavily raining outside (demonstrating his determination in getting things done), he stayed quiet about his severe injuries (demonstrating his selflessness), and he worked on the church (demonstrating his charity).

Not only do these situations reveal Cash's character, but it also indicates his desire to make things right--whether if its beveling the coffin to make it more balanced, quieting his painful injuries to allow the family to complete the burial, or to physically fix the church.

#MyToolsAreMyLifeLine

[burdenousbundrens]

@Cash I've finally finished the coffin. Looks great but not perfect. At least I beveled it 'cause it makes a neater job.

Update: The coffin would've balanced if you would've listened to me Jewel. :/

Photo(s) Explanation: Throughout the novel, Cash had been fixated on building the perfect coffin for Addie to rest in. The majority of his thoughts prior to Addie's burial were about the construction of the coffin. Cash's constant examination of the coffin can especially be seen in his interaction with Jewel, in which he attempts to explain to Jewel why the coffin wouldn't balance while they lift it up.

#BeveledCoffin>NormalCoffin