Dewey Dell, like most of the Bundren children, is only slightly educated. Instead of describing her thoughts and feelings in detail, Dewey Dell is better at recounting experiences that instill those senses in the reader. For example, when she talks about Lafe, her lover, she is caught between feeling manipulated and captivated, so instead of describing his effect on her in detail, she simply remembers him picking cotton into her bag so they could be together. Dewey Dell is also very consistent and almost obsessive. For example, when Doctor Peabody comes to look at Addie, Dewey Dell, for almost a whole chapter, only thinks “he could do so much for me” (58).
From other characters, we learn that Dewey Dell is indeed obsessive and intense. Cora comments on how she is constantly fanning her dying mother, trying to keep her to herself (25). As the family begins their journey to bury Addie, many of the neighbors along the way notice Dewey Dell’s intensity; Samson says, “If her eyes had a been pistols, I wouldn’t be talking now” (115). They realize that she follows others or holds onto ideas without question, and she is also creepily quiet.
In this story, Dewey Dell faces many internal conflicts. Her intensity hints at her respect for the rules (and God?), but her pregnancy, and implied pre-marital sex, don’t conform to her otherwise innocent lifestyle. As a daughter in the Bundren family, she has to deal with grief for her mother, which she demonstrates by fighting more than anyone else for her dying wish: to be buried in Jefferson. She often remains on the side lines while the boys do the action. Dewey Dell is a quiet but complex character that works hard to undo what she feels she has done wrong.
Dewey Dell can best be described as intense, pregnant, and confused. A baby could definitely symbolize her life because she is young and innocent, yet somehow gets into trouble. She seems to do things without really thinking them through and that gets her into a moral dilemma, which is a very immature and childlike tendency. Dewey Dell is dependent on others; she lets men control her life (maybe society makes her) and she follows her dead mother’s demands without once questioning them. She is stubborn and trusting at the same time, just like a baby. Of course, she is also pregnant, which is another reason why the symbol works for Dewey Dell.
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4 comments:
I also want to add (after reading Maria's) that Dewey Dell definitely takes on the woman's role in the family after Addie dies. Faulkner could be commenting on the dependency of women in the South and how they are discouraged from thinking for themselves.
Excellent character analysis. You're analysis of Dewey as intense/intense/anxious reveals a lot about the character. I'm not sure if you're done reading the book yet, but... (semi-spoiler alert) Dewey Dell brings along her "Sunday clothes" rather than the cakes to sell. I think this supports your point that she has respect for God/the rules in that she wanted to look her finest at her mother's funeral. Overall, well done.
haha you caught me will!! sooo not done reading!
Wow is all i can say after reading this. I can honestly say that before i read this (and Maria's since you said to) that I didn't understand everything that Dewey Dell was feeling and what she was all about especially regarding conflicts both inside and out.
The especially great part was when you talked about Dewey being intense and obsessive. and the quote you gave to back that up made me look at her in a new light.
The fact that she follows others is also a new aspect that i am looking for... i thought she was a rebel at first with the pregnancy and all but i could also wee your point.
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