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In the Shoes of Vardaman


Out of all the characters in “As I Lay Dying”, I feel the most sympathy for Vardaman. He’s the youngest and has a minimal understanding of the world out of the Bundren kids. As a result, it’s impossible for him to grasp the idea that his mother, Addie Bundren, is dead. Furthermore, no one cares to explain to him what is happening as they all have their own side missions: Anse wants new teeth, Darl is in his own world, Dewey Dell is worried about her pregnancy, Jewel is too angry, and Cash is Cash. 

Vardaman literally thinks that his mother is a fish. He catches a fish and in his own mind, he relates it to the death of his mother. Couldn't Anse take a moment to explain to his own son that his mother is dead?  I think he does eventually realize that Addie is not a fish. Then, he goes on to blame Peabody because Addie dies when he comes to the house. 

I just feel like every other character, including Addie, is so stuck in their own world that they forget Vardaman. The exception would be Tull and his wife. I feel like they share a stronger relationship to Vardaman then Vardaman is his own family. Instead of running to Anse, Vardaman runs 4 miles to Tull's house to essentially find an adult figure to help him. 

For most of the story though, Vardaman is forced to figure out everything by himself. 

Comments

  1. David SunMarch 9, 2019 at 9:27 PM

    I also sympathize with Vardaman. At the young age of 8, he doesn't really understand anything. It can be seen through his narration that he doesn't truly understand what's going on: he thinks that his mom is a fish, Peabody killed Addie, and the coffin needs holes for Addie to breathe.

    He's so innocent; he wants to buy a toy train set and some bananas at Jefferson. Unfortunately, he's been neglected by Anse and Addie.

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  2. Emi BrownMarch 10, 2019 at 8:15 AM

    I agree. Vardaman is just trying to understand what's happening and none of his family members are really helping him out with this traumatic event. One of them just needs to take some time to sit with him and explain what death means. Nice post!

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  3. tina wayneMarch 10, 2019 at 9:14 AM

    I, too, pity Vardaman. If there is anyone so thoroughly victimized by the lack of affection and compassion in the Bundren family, it would be Vardaman. As I read your post, I tried to think of when people could've stepped in and explained death and its implications to Vardaman. And there were numerous times. That no one did, truly colours my opinions on each character. Particularly Anse, because not only does he not try to help his son through the death of his mother, he immediately replaces her. Great post, Phong!

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  4. blogged downMarch 10, 2019 at 6:01 PM

    I also totally sympathized with Vardaman. It almost liked peicing together Vardaman's cryptic passages throughout the book, it was really rewarding when I figured it out. At the same time, though, it was usually deeply deeply sad. Vardaman is also sort of an exaggeration of the others and the way that they are all so in their own heads, Vardaman's extreme and often completely wrong interpretations help remind us of how all of the characters are operating in their own separate realities and we can't really understand their motivations because we can't really understand their thought process. Honestly though Vardaman was also just a constant reminder of how heartbreaking this story and the characters circumstances are. I just want Vardaman to get his train :(

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