The Poisonwood Bible and As I Lay Dying

After reading both The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and As I Lay Dying by William Faulker, it was evident that the two novels diverge in setting, atmosphere, plot. The Poisonwood Bible, set in the African Congo, describes the Price family who journeys to Africa as Christian missionaries, yet finds several challenges during their prolonged stay. On the contrary, As I Lay Dying took place in Mississippi, where the Bundren family sets out to bury their dead mother, Addie. Among all of these differences, there appears to be one commonality: family dynamic. Within the two novels, both authors create a unique storyline based upon the family members perspectives regarding their individual situations.
In Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible, each woman character narrates a chapter, telling their own story during a time when women's voices were suppressed. Throughout the novel, each character explores a dysfunctional aspect of their own family upon arrival to the African Congo. It is evident that the women's narrative provides specific insight into the odd dynamic that exists between each family member. For instance, Rachel Price's character continually strives for her father's acceptance and love, yet her father was so self- centered that he could only focus on his missionary work. The idea that Rachel has to try and obtain love rather than merely receive unconditional love is a prime example that describes one dysfunctional aspect of the Price family. In addition, the reader can hear the opinions and thoughts of Oreleanna Price (the mother), and how she has to cope with her self-absorbed husband during times when she would have needed him most, for example, the death of their daughter, Ruth May. While these are only two instances that provide a glimpse into the family dynamic of the Price family, The Poisonwood Bible is a novel that explores the thoughts and actions that exist among the family members.
Similar to the family dynamic in The Poisonwood Bible, William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying uses each chapter to explore the dysfunctional aspects of the Bundren family. Although more than just the women tell the narration, Faulkner makes use of the chapters by letting each family member have a voice in this novel. Throughout each chapter, the reader gains a greater sense of how each family member views one another. For instance, the reader understands how Darl Bundren is continuously bothered by his brother Jewel and how he is the sole receiver of true love from their mother, Addie. Within Darl's chapters, the reader is granted the opportunity to understand and internalize Darl's perspective since his narration is extremely telling of his emotions and reactions. Moreover, the reader can understand the failing relationship that exists between the mother and father, Anse and Addie. Through Addie's chapter, the reader understands the dynamic that was present throughout their marriage, one where love slowly washed away, leaving her feeling isolated and alone and ready to ultimately die. Faulkner does an excellent job portraying the family dynamic using the voices of each family member.
Without such chapters, the reader would fail to understand why each family member has a specific emotion or is characterized by a particular action. By providing chapters narrated by each family member, the reader can understand the dysfunctional aspect of both the Price and Bundren families.