Character Names and Roles:
* Addie Bundren: Her name echoes "Addie" from the Bible, signifying "help" or "assistance." This is ironic, as she is a source of suffering and frustration for her family.
* Anse Bundren: His name sounds like "ancestor," highlighting his patriarchal control over the family. He also exhibits some characteristics of the biblical patriarch Job, enduring suffering and believing in God's plan.
* Darl Bundren: His name is reminiscent of "Darl," the Biblical word for "Lord." However, Darl's mental state and his perception of the world make him an unreliable and enigmatic figure.
* Jewel Bundren: This name hints at a preciousness, mirroring the biblical "jewel" representing something valuable and unique. This aligns with Jewel's fierce loyalty to his mother and his almost mythical status in the family.
Themes and Motifs:
* The Journey as a Pilgrimage: The Bundren family's journey to bury Addie in Jefferson is presented as a pilgrimage, echoing the biblical journeys of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Their suffering and hardships become trials of faith.
* The Resurrection Theme: The story's climax involves Addie's burial. While death is the central theme, the family's quest for a proper burial can be interpreted as a symbolic resurrection, signifying Addie's legacy and the family's persistence.
* The Fall from Grace: The family's actions throughout the journey are often driven by selfish desires and misguided beliefs. The constant presence of poverty, grief, and moral struggles can be seen as a reflection of the biblical "Fall of Man."
* Divine Intervention: The family's journey is riddled with unpredictable events and misfortunes, often appearing as acts of fate or God's will. This reinforces the idea of divine intervention in their lives.
* The Concept of Sin: The novel grapples with themes of sin and its consequences, highlighting the family's transgressions and their struggle to atone for them. This mirrors the biblical concept of original sin and redemption.
Narrative Structure:
* Multiple Perspectives: The novel is told from the perspective of multiple characters, creating a fragmented narrative that reflects the biblical concept of multiple witnesses to the same event. This allows the reader to experience the story from different perspectives, offering a multifaceted understanding of the family's journey.
* Stream of Consciousness: The use of stream of consciousness in the narrative allows the characters' thoughts, emotions, and memories to flow freely, creating a sense of divine inspiration or revelation, similar to the biblical prophets.
Faulkner's use of biblical allusions is not straightforward or direct. He incorporates them subtly into the narrative, inviting the reader to recognize and interpret their significance. These allusions add layers of meaning to the novel, prompting reflection on themes of faith, family, and human nature. They also contribute to the novel's rich literary tapestry and its enduring power.