Why does Faulkner use so many individual narrators in As I Lay Dying? Does it work for him or against him?

Question

I'm doing a report and just need help.

Answer 1

As with all literary interpretation, this is a matter of opinion.  I think, though, that Faulkner uses the various different narrators in order to present the different characters to us in ways that they would not present themselves to each other.  Each character in As I Lay Dying has secrets.  These are secrets they would not reveal to one another.  As a result, Faulkner goes from one character to another to gradually reveal each of these secrets to us, without forcing the characters to disclose their secrets amongst themselves.  

I think that this technique is effective, because it enables Faulkner to jump from one character to another, disclosing the deep secrets of each character, while at the same time, emphasizing the dysfunctionality of the family in that they avoid disclosing secrets with one another, and that they shun depending upon one another--to their own detriment.

Answer 2

I have not read this book, but here are a few sites I found that may be of some help to you for your work with it.  

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/asilay/

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitN...

http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/~egjbp/faulk...

http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/t...