# Macgowan explained — As I Lay Dying

> Chapter companion for As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner.

## What happens

Macgowan, a drugstore clerk, encounters a young country woman seeking an abortion. He pretends to be a doctor, manipulates her into drinking a turpentine-like substance, and arranges a late-night meeting in the cellar, exploiting her desperation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Endurance

Dewey Dell's desperate endurance of her unwanted pregnancy and her willingness to undergo a dangerous procedure highlight the theme of suffering.

### Class and Poverty

Dewey Dell's rural, impoverished background makes her vulnerable to exploitation by MacGowan, who sees her as a mark.

### Isolation and Community

Dewey Dell's isolation from proper medical care and community support forces her to trust a charlatan.

## Character check-ins

### Dewey Dell Bundren

The country woman seeking help for an unwanted pregnancy; she is desperate and vulnerable.

### MacGowan

The drugstore clerk who impersonates a doctor and exploits Dewey Dell's situation.

### Jody

MacGowan's coworker who warns him about the boss and is complicit in the scheme.

## Key lines

> “It’s the female trouble,” she says, watching me. “I got the money,” she says.

Dewey Dell explains her problem is gynecological and emphasizes she has money to pay.

_Her directness reveals her desperation and the transactional nature of the encounter._

> “You mean, you’re ready to right now?” I says. “Here?” “Gimme the medicine first,” she says.

MacGowan asks if she is willing to proceed immediately, but she insists on receiving the medicine first.

_Shows her caution despite her vulnerability, as she tries to secure the treatment before any further demands._

> “Are you sure it’ll work?” she says. “Sure,” I says. “When you take the rest of the treatment.” “Where do I take it?” she says. “Down in the cellar,” I says.

Dewey Dell asks for reassurance about the capsules, and MacGowan tells her the final part of the treatment will be in the cellar.

_Highlights MacGowan's predatory manipulation and the ominous setting for the planned encounter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/macgowan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters