Study Guide

As I Lay Dying Section Thirty, narrated by Dewey Dell

By William Faulkner

Section Thirty, narrated by Dewey Dell

As the family passes the New Hope sign in the morning, Dewey Dell ponders her mother’s death. She feels it happened too soon and wishes she had had more time.
In an italicized stream of consciousness she imagines herself sitting naked on the wagon, taking the knife which Vardaman used to gut his fish and killing Darl with it.
Dewey Dell remembers a nightmare she had one night when she used to share a bed with Vardaman. She dreamed that she was awake, but numb. Then she felt a breeze and "all of them" under her, dragging across her naked legs.
Vardaman asks his dad why they’re not going to New Hope, as Samson suggested. No one answers.
Darl calls Jewel’s attention to the buzzard following them, but Jewel ignores him.
Dewey Dell reminds herself that she believes in God.
The family passes by Tull’s again.