Dewey Dell III (120-122)

"Inside the Mind of Dewel Dell"

In this chapter, we see how Faulkner uses stream-of-consciousness to imitate the bored ramblings of Dewey Dell's imagination during the trip. She often interrupts her own thoughts, and we see she has several things competing for attention in her mind.

She sees the New Hope 3 mi. sign. She wonders why she can't think about more than one thing. Darl tells her to look at the buzzards, which are following them. Dewey Dell is lonely, as well. She notices that Jewel sits on his horse like he's made out of wood (which Darl noticed long ago).

This is a very strange chapter, and sometimes hard to follow. It appears that at times Dewey Dell is recounting dreams she's had, one of which includes Vardaman knifing the fish, and her knifing Darl...remember their ongoing conflict.

Throughout Dewey Dell is described in very physical terms.

Dewey Dell II (58-64)

"Lafe!"

Dewey Dell again hits the refrain that the doctor could do so much for her. She feels completely alone--she wouldn't feel alone if she felt the child, but then again, everyone would then know.

She goes out to the barn to be alone, and as she starts calling out "Lafe!" it turns out that Vardaman is already in the barn. Oops.

How can the cow's situation be compared to Dewey Dell's?

Notice how Faulkner describes Dewey Dell in very physical terms... she's naked beneath her clothes, for example.

Cash wants Vardaman to go get the horse, because it "will let him catch him." (59) How is this ironic? What does this tell us about Cash's abilities of perception?

Note Dewey Dell's observation of Adse: "He looks like right after the maul hits the steer and it no longer alive and dont yet know that it is dead." (59)

She also calls Peabody "a tub of guts" (58).

Dewey Dell (26-28)

"Dewey Fools Around with Sacks"

This chapter features some of Faulkner's sly humor.

Immediately we see Dewey Dell's grammar is terrible...she often uses the wrong case, and her speech is littered with fragments. Compare with Darl's or Cora's chapters.

Dewey Dell claims that Jewel is not "care-kin" (26). What, exactly, does this mean? Jewel is being set apart from the other siblings for some reason. Why?

It's hard not to pick up on the sexual metaphor in this chapter. All throughout the book we see Dewey Dell described and portrayed in very physical, sensual terms. How does Dewey Dell get around talking about sex with Lafe, and what is odd about Dewey Dell's outlook on the whole episode? What makes this passage humorous?

Additionally, note the conflict being set up between Dewey Dell and Darl. Why is Dewey Dell worried about Darl?