"It was for a fact, all shut up as pretty as a picture, and everytime a new record would come from the mail order and us setting in the house in the winter, listening to it, I would think what a shame Darl couldn't be to enjoy it too. But it is better so for him. This world is not his world; this life his life" (261).
From the beginning of our discussion of 'As I Lay Dying' classmates claim that Darl is purposefully malicious or spiteful. I would have to disagree, I think Darl loves this dysfunctional family the 'Darl' way. I'm not denying that Darl can be mean, but what person in this book is not at least once? Darl happens to be the most intelligent character out of Faulkner's story. His intelligence does not lie in book smarts or common sense, but more of being 'queer' and knowing things that others do not. He parades this information about, causing the aversion from Faulkner's audience. However, he uses this information on his siblings and his siblings alone. Having an older brother myself, I can comment on the fact that we have a hate/love relationship (usual 80/20) that stems from being extremely competitive. The same relationship is found in the Bundren family. For example, in the beginning Jewel cuts through the little mill to put himself in front of Darl on their walking path. This is a classical annoyance move by Jewel: 'Ha Ha I'm in front of you Darl. I win. I'm smarter, stronger and better and now you know it.' Darl may be mean, but he does so because he wants to win in this brotherly competition. The only way he knows how to do this is to parade his intelligence and information in front of Jewel to get the best of him.
I guess what I am getting at here is that I don't think Darl actually went crazy- he left with the men because he cared for his family. His family didn't understand him and his actions. He was 'queer' to them and everyone else, which is why Cash states 'this world is not his world; this life his life.' It is easier for people to banish something weird than try and understand it. Which the Bundren family does when they attack Darl and give him over to the men. However, the only reason Darl stops fighting is because Cash says to him, "it'll be better for you"(238). He could of fought harder and brought more disgrace to the Bundren family, but he doesn't- he leaves and is labeled crazy.
Discussion Question: Why does Cash take over Darl's position as the all seeing narrator? And, is Darl crazy?
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