As I Lay Dying · Chapter
Anse explained
Anse Bundren reflects on the road that runs past his house, which he believes brings bad luck and has caused his family's misfortunes.
What happens
Anse Bundren reflects on the road that runs past his house, which he believes brings bad luck and has caused his family's misfortunes. He complains about his sons Cash and Darl, the cost of the wagon haul, and the impending rain that threatens his promise to Addie. He insists Addie was not sick until the road brought trouble, and he resents having to pay for things beyond his control. The chapter ends with Vardaman returning from cleaning the fish, covered in blood, and Anse feeling weary and resigned.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Endurance
Anse's monologue is filled with complaints about his hardships—the road, his sons, his lack of teeth, and the rain—yet he endures, seeing himself as a man who has done no wrong and trusts in 'Old Marster' to care for him.
Family Duty and Selfishness
Anse's focus on his own grievances (paying for things, his teeth) contrasts with his duty to his wife Addie and his children. He resents the sacrifices his sons make for the family, revealing a selfish streak beneath his claims of responsibility.
Characters to notice
- Anse Bundren
Anse is the narrator of this chapter, expressing his grievances about the road, his sons, and his financial burdens. He shows a fatalistic attitude and a sense of victimhood.
- Addie Bundren
Addie is mentioned as being 'well and hale' until the road brought trouble, and Anse recalls her insisting she was not sick. She is the subject of Anse's promise and concern.
- Cash Bundren
Cash is referenced by Anse as having 'carpenter notions' and being unable to work due to a fall from a church, which Anse resents.
- Darl Bundren
Darl is mentioned as being 'talked out of him' by others, and Anse complains about the law threatening to take him away.
- Vardaman Bundren
Vardaman appears at the end of the chapter, covered in blood from cleaning the fish, and asks about his mother's health.
Key passages
“I can stand here and same as see it with second-sight, a-shutting down behind them like a wall, shutting down betwixt them and my given promise.”
Anse claims he can foresee the rain coming like a wall, separating his sons from his promise to Addie.
Anse uses 'second-sight' to express his fatalistic view of the rain as an obstacle to his plans.
“I told Addie it wasn’t any luck living on a road when it come by here, and she said, for the world like a woman, 'Get up and move, then.'”
Anse recalls warning Addie that living on a road brings bad luck, and she retorted that he could simply move.
This exchange highlights Anse's superstitious nature and Addie's practical, if dismissive, response.
“She was well and hale as ere a woman ever were, except for that road.”
Anse insists Addie was perfectly healthy until the road brought misfortune.
Anse blames the road for Addie's illness, showing his tendency to externalize blame.
“I have done things but neither better nor worse than them that pretend otherlike, and I know that Old Marster will care for me as for ere a sparrow that falls.”
Anse believes he is no worse than others and trusts that God will look after him.
Anse's self-justification and reliance on divine providence reveal his passive, resigned worldview.