Struggle for Survival : As I Lay Dying (1930)

The aim of this paper is to re-evaluate William Faulkner\u27s As I Lay Dying in terms of the characters\u27language and existence. First, I will look into Addie\u27s view on the relation between language and existence and theother characters\u27 views on ""life"" and ""death."" By examining her dying condition and others\u27 views of her, I wouldlike to point out a precarious boundary between life and death. Secondly, I will concentrate on Darl\u27s view, whichreflects conventional thoughts of Southerners. Darl\u27s obsessive observation of Jewel and Addie keeps himexpressing them in words. His distorted usage of the be-verb confuses his and others\u27 views on existence. Thirdly,I will focus attention on one of Darl\u27s monologues, where he talks about his insomnia and ""sleep"" to look into people\u27sexistence. In this respect, I refer to a French philosopher, Emmanuel Levinas\u27 theories concerning the relationbetween a human body and consciousness (especially from Existence and Existents). In the last part, I would liketo summarize the characters\u27 views on existence in As I Lay Dying