Here's why:
* Multiple perspectives: The novel is told from the perspectives of multiple characters, each with their own unique voice, thoughts, and limited understanding of events. This creates a fragmented, non-linear narrative, challenging the traditional linear and omniscient storytelling.
* Stream of consciousness: Faulkner employs stream-of-consciousness narration, capturing the raw, unfiltered thoughts and feelings of the characters. This often leads to disjointed sentences, broken syntax, and jumps in time, reflecting the chaotic nature of human consciousness.
* Emphasis on internal monologue: The novel places great emphasis on the characters' internal monologues, revealing their hidden desires, fears, and prejudices. This exploration of individual consciousness is a key element of Modernist literature.
* Lack of clear chronology: The novel's timeline is intentionally unclear and fragmented. Events are presented out of order, with flashbacks and flash-forwards disrupting the flow of time. This challenges the traditional notion of a linear narrative and forces the reader to piece together the story themselves.
* Focus on subjectivity: The multiple perspectives and stream of consciousness narration emphasize the subjective nature of reality. Each character perceives and interprets events differently, highlighting the limitations of human understanding.
In essence, *As I Lay Dying* breaks away from the traditional, objective, and unified narrative voice of realism. It embraces the subjective and fragmented nature of human experience, reflecting the anxieties and uncertainties of the modern world. This makes it a powerful example of Modernist storytelling.