The Saw, the Coffin, and the Fish
Attachment to actions and objects is a recurring theme in William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying , as illustrated through motifs like the saw, the coffin, the fish, the horse, and more. Faulkner repeatedly uses motifs to uniquely depict the intense struggles that the characters experience after the death of Addie. He provides readers with an oddly complex way of connecting with the characters’ emotions and experiences in the book. Although the book can be difficult to follow at times, these motifs really add to the depictions of grief as dark humor in the book. This specific analysis focuses on two of the most central motifs: the saw/coffin and the fish. The saw, introduced early in the book, is used by Cash to build Addie Bundren’s coffin, which becomes the focal object of the story. Initially, the saw signifies care and dedication; while Addie is still alive, Cash works calmly and meticulously to construct the coffin, ensuring it will be ready...
