God plays a large
role in the lives of the characters in William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying. After all, the characters constantly question how
God is omnipotent and how the way they act in the secular world directly influences
their afterlives. The idea of God especially plays a large role in the lives of
the Tulls, the neighbors of the Bundrens. Both Vernon and Cora Tull believe in
God himself, but they differ in their views of his nature. While Vernon believes
that God works in ways that can be frustrating to man, Cora puts all her faith
in God and fully embraces God’s work and her “Christian” duty. These differing
views become apparent as the Vernons aid the Bundrens after the death of Addie.
On the surface, Cora seems to be a caring, compassionate neighbor; she
constantly visits the Bundrens and offers them aid during a family tragedy. Yet
as the reader learns more about Cora, the reader realizes that her “good-nature”
is actually superficial. Beneath the graceful Christian layer lies a selfish
and judgmental woman. Rather than truly caring about the well-being of the
Bundren family, Cora acts kindly so that she can have salvation after her own
death. This is demonstrated as she repeatedly sings, “I’m bounding toward my
God and my reward” (93). Additionally, Cora is extremely judgmental towards the
Bundren family. She notes how the Bundren tragedy is “a judgment on Anse Bundren”
and states, “May it show him the path of sin he is a-trodding” (72). Cora uses
Addie’s death to criticize those who are less fortunate than herself, and she believes
that she is morally superior. In contrast, Vernon is subtle in his actions and
demonstrates true compassion towards the Bundrens. While the other country
people look down upon Anse, Vernon notes, “The only burden Anse Bundren’s ever
had is himself…when folks talks him low, I think to myself he aint that less of
a man or he couldn’t a bore himself this long” (73). Vernon views Anse as an
equal, and believes that Anse’s suffering is a result of misfortune and not
poor morality. Faulkner indirectly presents two “types” of Christians: those who
actively display their faith but may not always have pure intentions, and those
who are passive about their faith but demonstrate true compassion.
Toni Morrison’s novel Song of Solomon is peppered with many different unusual metaphors. Often appearing at unexpected moments, this figurative language enhances the text and offers more meaning into the characters’ minds. The following are a few of my favorite metaphors: “There was the pain and shame of seeing his father crumple before any man–even himself. Sorrow in discovering that the pyramid was not five-thousand-year wonder of the civilized world, mysteriously and permanently constructed by generation after generation of hardy men who had died in order to perfect it, but that it had been made in the back room at Sears, by a clever window dresser, of papier-maché, guaranteed to last a lifetime” (68) In this passage, Milkman reflects on hitting his father after Macon abuses Ruth. The act of retaliation represents Milkman’s loss of innocence and transition into full adulthood; he realizes that he no longer fears his father. Prior to this moment, his father, like the pyramid, is...
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