As I Lay Dying Lesson Plan

Is Anse a good man? Why or why not?

Throughout the novel's first act, Faulkner makes Anse out to be a clearly unlikeable character. Students should look to two separate events to find evidence of this: first, they should note the way he waffles back and forth on whether his sons should ship Vernon Tull's lumber, though it seems as though he wants them to go and simply isn't brave enough to say so out loud.

Ask students to gauge Anse's reaction to Addie's death, as well. Does he seem genuinely upset over her passing, or is he simply going through the motions in order to play the part of the grieving husband? His first thoughts aren't about the love he has lost, but rather...