Role of Geography on "As I Lay Dying"

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner takes place in the deep American South. More specifically, in Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, a fictional place created by Faulkner. Although the county is a fictional place, it accurately embodies and depicts the deep American South and its idiosyncrasies.

Yoknapatawpha County is a stereotypical Southern town with a deeply-engrained social hierarchy. The Bundrens belong to the lower class, comprised of poor families who rely primarily on farming for income. Their accents and poor grammar are a dead-giveaway that they lack formal education and likely have farmed throughout their entire lives. The other class spoken of in As I Lay Dying is that of the upper class, who lives in the main town. The only experience we have had with the social elites at this point is when Cora bakes cakes for one of their parties, but then the woman changes her mind at the last minute and decides not to buy them. Although we haven't seen much interaction besides this in the novel, I think it is evident that Faulkner is trying to paint the upper class in a negative light, while romanticizing the lives of the lower class to make the reader side with the latter.

Another important role that the geography has is that it drives the plot forward. The entire plot revolves around preparing and then carrying Addie's body to the town of Jefferson, where she can be buried with her family. The severe environment and the poor transportation by the Bundrens makes this a difficult odyssey. Because of the rain, flooding destroys the bridges, making it difficult for the family to make their way to Jefferson, especially when transporting a corpse.

Because the American South faltered behind its Northern brethren in terms of progression, it creates a difficult environment for the Bundrens to live and travel through. The social hierarchy and their respective position in it are sure to hinder the Bundrens ability to get ahead in life. Perhaps more importantly, the lack of the bridges as a result of the flooding and the poor Southern infrastructure makes their journey to transport their dead mother incredibly difficult. The accurate representation of Southern life via Yoknapatawpha county in As I Lay Dying is central to the plot of the novel, but also creates difficulties for the Bundred family as they embark on their solemn journey.