Their Eyes Were Watching God

I really enjoyed reading "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and I also found it to send out an interesting message. I found that throughout the whole story Janie has set out on an adventure to find true love, but not only true love and happiness but also her own independence. When she was married to Logan, she experienced neither love or independence. Jody showed her love and happiness at one point in time but denied her her own independence. And finally with Tea Cake Janie experiences the love and happiness she has been searching for also becomes secure in her own independence. Although it seems funny that in the end she ends up shooting Tea Cake and ultimately ends up alone, she does not feel alone. Janie feels Tea Cake's presence around her because when she was with Tea Cake she truly feels happy and in love and even though Tea Cake is gone she still feels that and therefore, is content being alone, and although she is alone, Janie doesn't actually feel alone.

"As I Lay Dying" (Extra)

After finishing reading "As I Lay Dying" I came to find that Addie's coffin symbolizes a lot. For starters, the coffin itself seems to stand for the burden it has on the family. All of the crazy circumstances that took place and horrible luck all led back to the fact that this family is trying to get this coffin to Jefferson to bury their mother and wife but if it wasn't for the fact that they were trying to do this, all these disasters wouldn't happen. Therefore leading back to Addie's coffin, the Budren family has to get this coffin underground if they have any chance of getting back to a normal life. Not only this but all the disasters that took place throughout the story lead back to the coffin as well. For example, laying Addie in it upside down, drilling holes in their mothers face, Cash breaking his leg trying, the fire, the mule's dying. All of these disasters are simply because they are trying to bury this coffin. I also believe that Addie's coffin brings out all the problems associated with this family. Darl's issues, Dewey Dell and her abortion, Jewel having a different father, Anse laziness, Cash's leg, Addie's affair, all of these problems come out and are realized because of the death of Addie.

"As I Lay Dieing"

After reading the first part of William Faulkner "As I Lay Dieing" I really started to like the way each chapter was told by a certain character. I really enjoyed getting the insight views and thoughts of each character and not only this but outsiders views on certain characters as well. It really helped me to understand and relate to the characters, which made the reading more personal and more exciting to read. One particular part that really stuck out to me in the first section of this book was the fact that the oldest son of Addie, Cash, who is preparing Addie's coffin not only while she is sick and dieing, but yet right outside of her very own window of the room she is laying in "dieing". I find this part to be very interesting and even though I can't seem to put a finger on what could be the reasoning behind building one's coffin while they are alive and right outside there window is, I am anxious for an explanation. As if it isn't enough that somebody is dieing they have to be reminded everyday by their son building a box that will be where one lays when dead and buried into the ground. I found this part to not only be disturbing, but simply cruel.