Sustained Allusion AP Question
1981. The meaning of some literary works is often enhanced by sustained allusion to myths, the Bible, or other works of literature.
Select a literary work that makes use of such a sustained reference. Then write a well-organized response in which you explain the allusion that predominates in the work and analyze how it enhances the work’s meaning.
Select a literary work that makes use of such a sustained reference. Then write a well-organized response in which you explain the allusion that predominates in the work and analyze how it enhances the work’s meaning.
As I Lay Dying is a novel in which Biblical allusions are throughly sustained throughout the text. One example is when Dewey Dell and Lafe are in the luscious crop fields which supply the family with food and prosperity of income. In this situation, Dell is tempted with sexual sin, where she feels compelled to her harvesting partner. Just as Eve in the garden of Eden had the power to resist the temptation of the snake, she had the same authority to say "no" to resist sin. However, she allows Lafe to fill her sack and her mind with lust and commit what would be considered a detestable action when this book was written and in the setting of the text. One other Biblical reference is when the family crosses the bridge to advance to where Addie shall lay rest. Just as how the Israelites in the book of Exodus in the bible had to cross the Red Sea, the Bundrens had to forge their own path. The bridge in the story was their theoretical dry ground. Hoever, their bridge into the promised land for the burial turned into the raging waters that similarly swallowed up the Egyptians who chased the Israelites. A similar, but not as severe punishment is dealt to them, however, as a result of their corrupted bodies.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea about the Garden of Eden and the temptation with Dewey Dell. You could also look at everyone in the book as being Adam and Eve after they left Eden. Everyone is selfish and cares mostly for themselves, and as a result they are all miserable compared to their once happier life when Addie was still alive
DeleteThis book was littered with Biblical allusions and symbolism. From the first few chapters, Cora presents herself as a very strong Catholic. In addition, Addie was flushed down the river in their wagon (a mortal vehicle). This is symbolic of a baptism, but is ironic because Addie is dead. There’s also a Christ figure in the book, but it’s not the conventional Christ figure. The whole family can be thought of as a Christ figure because they all take Addie’s sins from her life. Her sins of being a terrible mother are taken by her family, who suffers for her. These allusions really contribute to the overall meaning of the work about decay. When the family takes Addie’s sins after her death, they begin to decay overall, as if Addie was the glue keeping the family intact.
ReplyDeleteThe basis of As I Lay Dying focuses on Biblical allusions and connections, but more often than not focuses on the irony of the behavior of the characters in comparison to the meanings meant to be understood in Biblical context. One of the strong biblical allusions that is also quite ironic could be the the coffin containing Addie's body being a Christ figure. When the coffin is swept down the river, this inherently alludes to baptism, however, in no way is either Addie or her family cleansed of their sins or reborn in any way. None of them change their old ways, and seem to instead try and pick up the pieces of what is already destroyed. For me, the biblical allusions were not the main focal point of the piece, but were used as a tool to create irony and in many ways humor when compared to the dysfunction and disarray in Addie's family.
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