Faulkner’s Take on Perspectives in As I Lay Dying – Key Insight

Question :

In his novel As I Lay Dying, what is Faulkner saying about perspectives and perception?

A. Sometimes our understanding of someone is limited by our own perceptions.

B. Using a stream of consciousness perspective causes readers to lose their own perceptions.

C. Readers should never trust literary perspectives.

Description of the Answer:

William Faulkner’s novel As I Lay Dying explores the complexity of human perspectives and how they shape our understanding of others. The correct answer is:

A. Sometimes our understanding of someone is limited by our own perceptions.

In the novel, Faulkner uses multiple narrators, each with their own unique viewpoints and biases. This narrative technique highlights how each character’s perception is influenced by their personal experiences and emotions. As a result, the reader sees different facets of the same events and characters, illustrating that our comprehension of others is often constrained by our individual perspectives. Faulkner’s portrayal emphasizes that our grasp of others is never complete or objective but always colored by our own viewpoints.