"When I used to sleep with Vardaman I had a nightmare once I thought I was awake but I couldn't see and couldn't feel I couldn't feel the bed under me and I couldn't think what I was I couldn't think of my name I couldn't even think I am a girl I couldn't even think I nor even think I want to wake up nor remember what was opposite to awake so I could do that I knew that something was passing but I couldn't even think of time then all of a sudden I knew that something was it was wind blowing over me it was like the wind came and blew me back from there it was I was not blowing the room and Vardaman asleep and all of them back under me again and going on like a piece of cool silk dragging across my naked legs" (121)
Of all the characters in this novel, Dewey Dell intrigues me the most. This quote, found in italics in the text, reveals her thoughts, which make zero sense. This lack of punctuation or coherent thoughts is consistent throughout the chapter, and seems to point to Dewey quickly losing a grip on her sanity. As we discussed last class, Dewey is struggling with finding a solution to her surprise pregnancy, but the dilemma is taking a toll on her. I believe this is a result of the pressures of her family and the era in which she lives. She belongs to a Christian family, and lives among Christian people (some of whom truly believe in God, while others don't). In the Christian faith, it is frowned upon to engage in premarital sex. Dewey, well aware of this, is terrified that she will be discovered, leading to judgement from her family and friends. Dewey also considers herself Christian, or at least is trying to convince herself that she is. This might lead to guilt for what she had done as well.
"I believe in God, God. God, I believe in God" (122).
Living in the 1920s, Dewey also knows that women are looked down upon in society, and having a child out of wedlock would put a label on her for the rest of her life, making it difficult, if not impossible, to find a husband. On top of all of this, she has no one to confide in except for a cow, who fails to offer her much comfort. After thinking through this, I am inclined to sympathize with her situation, and I begin to understand the reasons behind her deteriorating psyche.
It's also worth mentioning Dewey's recurring theme of nakedness, which we have seen multiple times in her chapters. This signifies her belief that despite any evidence, Dewey believes that people can see right through her, giving away her deepest secret. This further points to her shame, guilt, and fear of being discovered.
"...and then my dress is gone: I sit naked on the seat above the unhurrying mules, above the travail" (121).
Welcome to the class blog for E344L: The American South in Literature, Film and Other Media. Here, we will post our responses to the readings for the day. Each student has to post at least six times in the course of the semester, and will have signed up for posting dates early on. See the Post Instructions page for specific posting guidelines.
Discussion question: How do you feel about Faulkner's writing strategy in this chapter? Does it get his point across or is it simply overkill?
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