From Dewey Dell’s memory of Lafe to Addie’s death
That’s what they mean by the love that
passeth understanding: that pride, that furious desire to hide that
abject nakedness which we bring here with us. . . .
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Dewey Dell
Dewey Dell remembers a time when she went harvesting with
Lafe, a worker on the Bundren farm. She had been heading toward
the woods with him, but was nervous. Finally, however, they slept together
because Dewey Dell “could not help it.” Dewey Dell later realized
that Darl somehow found out about her and Lafe. She remembers all
of these details as Darl stands in the doorway saying good-bye to
Addie. Darl tells Dewey Dell that Addie is going to die before he
and Jewel return, but that he is taking Jewel anyway because he
needs help loading the wagon.
Tull
Tull tries to relieve Anse of his lingering reservations
about Darl making the trip. Vardaman, Darl’s youngest brother, appears, climbing
up the hill with a large fish that he is planning to show to Addie.
Anse, unimpressed, orders him to clean the fish before taking it
inside. Cora and Tull depart for the evening, as Anse stands dumbly
in the room with Addie. Once in the wagon, Cora and Tull speak pessimistically
with Kate and Eula about the Bundren situation and the future of
the Bundren children.
Anse
Anse, in his crude, unschooled diction, begins complaining
about the weather, his sons, and the commotion of the road. He is
convinced that the road that was put in near his house has brought
bad luck, and he blames it for Addie’s ill health. Vardaman reappears, covered
with blood after cleaning his fish. Anse tells Vardaman to go wash
his hands. Anse then reflects that he cannot seem to feel much about
anything, and blames this lack of sentiment on the weather.
Darl
Meanwhile, Darl is in the wagon with Jewel. He recalls
confronting Dewey Dell about her encounter with Lafe. The sun is
about to set. Darl voices his belief in the inevitability of Addie’s
death over and over to Jewel, who remains silent.
Peabody
Addie’s doctor, Peabody, makes his way to the Bundren
place after being called for by Anse. Peabody notices that a storm
is coming. He is very overweight, and needs help climbing the bluff
to the Bundren house. After a struggle, he arrives at the family’s
house. He enters Addie’s room and finds Addie perfectly still except
for the movement of her eyes. Outside, Peabody asks Anse why he
didn’t send for a doctor sooner. Dewey Dell interrupts their conversation
and they return to Addie’s room. Dewey Dell tells Peabody that Addie
wants him to leave. Cash continues to saw away, and Addie calls
out his name loudly.
Darl
Darl, still on his journey with Jewel, somehow knows what
is happening back at the Bundren household. The rest of the family
surrounds Addie’s bedside. Addie calls out again to Cash, who begins pantomiming
the act of putting the coffin pieces together so she can see how
they will fit. Dewey Dell flings herself upon Addie, clutching her
tightly. Vardaman and Anse look on in silence. At this moment, Addie
dies. Dewey Dell calls for her mother, and the narrative flashes
over to Jewel and Darl. Darl says Jewel’s name twice. Back at the
Bundren home, Cash enters the room and Anse gives him the news,
telling him that he needs to finish up the coffin quickly. Cash stares
at Addie for a time, and then returns to work. Anse tells Dewey
Dell that she should prepare supper, and Dewey Dell leaves the room.
Anse stands over his dead wife’s body and strokes her face awkwardly
before returning to the business of the day. The narrative reverts
to Darl, who tells Jewel that Addie is dead.
