Addie in her Coffin
Originating in pre-revolution France, animal magnetism is a theory that details an invisible magnetic liquid
inside all living beings. The misalignment of this liquid can cause illness and death - thus, ne must reorient their fluid
to be cured and in harmony with the natural world. Animal magnetism is widely considered a quack science.
It plays an important role in Faulkner’s, “As I Lay Dying”.
The first direct reference of animal magnetism occurs in Cash's chapter, when he talks about how he made Addie’s coffin. Our first clue to his beliefs occurs when he says the following: “In a bed where people lie down all the time, the joints and seams are made sideways, because the stress is sideways.” (PDF page 53). While he doesn’t directly talk about animal magnetism, the belief that the joints of people are meant to allow for stress to flow through them is akin to a magnetic fluid flowing in motion with nature. In his next point, he cuts to the chase - he states that because of animal magnetism, he made the coffin as a bevel in order to allow it to be more in harmony with the dirt. This first mention of animal magnetism primes the reader to reevaluate certain parts of the book where these ideas may have flown over their heads.
Naturally, it is best to look at Darl’s chapters as he is considered the most poetic of the bunch. There are two places that stick out: When he talks about feathers traveling through his house and when he talks about a path him and Jewel take. The description of both of these examples suggest a sort of continuity between them and nature - a theme widely explored in animal magnetism. Specifically, his commentary about a road weaving in and out of cotton fields is similar to Anse’s belief that roads are meant to transport and move people. This agreement on the movement of roads, used to transport things here and there, is similar to the belief that a magnetic fluid flows through nature.
However, even more similar is Addie’s journey towards her hometown of Jefferson. As mentioned above, misalignments of liquid with nature often were believed to cause illness in animal magnetism. In order to cure such ailments, one must persuade the liquid to flow through reorientation. Addie’s journey to Jefferson is a direct representation of this belief. She acts as a “blockage” to the Bundren’s of getting what they want - and by transporting her across a road (like healing wounds by “reorienting” liquid) they “successfully” unblock the flow. However, there is something perversely wrong with their journey. Each Bundren has their own selfish intentions for taking Addie for Jefferson. They disguise themselves as noble while secretly hiding a much darker part. Just like the patients of pseudoscience, one can only wonder if the Bundrens will truly be healed at the end.
This takes me back to when animal magnetism was just some concept introduced to us and I didn't think we would dive this deep into it. Animal magnetism at the beginning of As I Lay Dying felt like it had a lot more spiritual meanings to it compared to the next half of the book when we get Vardaman's word for word sentence "My mother is a fish" and Jewel's mother is a horse. Thinking of Addie/Addie's coffin as some sort of blockage from animal magnetism is a good way to describe the whole situation of the Bundrens. When the animal magnetism is blocked, the Bundrens are blocked on their path, but when its finally open, the animal magnetism is back to the natural flow, allowing the Bundrens to progress. I give this blog 10 magnetic fluid ounces out of 10.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting portrayal of animal magnetism, especially since you think about it in a philosophical bigger sense of the family. I think it is key to understand that Addie wanting to go back to Jefferson is her returning to her "rightful place", but along with that there's an argument to be made that each family member is taking this trip for themselves and their own gain (Vardaman's train, Anse's teeth, etc.). I also think your analysis of Darl is very interesting because his role in the book and his ability to see things that aren't in front of him suggests animal magnetism and could be why he is such a main role while also having a bad personality.
ReplyDeleteThis is actually a really good connection between animal magnetism and the story that I completely missed. I was confused about how the concept was even related at all, but your connection to the corrupted motivations of the Bundrens as the falsehoods of pseudoscience was quite a showstopper. Faulkner was a genius for layering animal magnetism in the literal and metaphorical dimensions.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really unique analysis of animal magnetism in As I Lay Dying! I appreciate that you specified which parts show the most animal magnetism, and I agree that Darl definitely emphasized the concept more than anyone else (he was also the craziest one, too). I find it really interesting how you wrote that Addie herself acted as a blockage and form of animal magnetism. It would certainly make a lot of sense that Faulkner was trying to portray the topic through Addie. I also thinks it's important that you noted how each character had their selfish desires throughout the book and that these desires had negative effects.
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ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting connection between animal magnetism and the As I Lay Dying storyline. I was pretty skeptical of the concept in class, but I like your idea that their journey is kind of a metaphor for the liquid. One thing I’d add is the way water—an actual flowing liquid—becomes a recurring symbol that aligns with this concept. For instance, when the Bundrens cross the river and nearly lose the coffin, it feels like a literal struggle with nature’s flow. The flood seems to resist their “reorientation,” almost as if nature itself rejects their journey. I wonder if this struggle with water reinforces the idea that the Bundrens’ motives and actions are somehow misaligned with the harmony animal magnetism represents?
Hi Renee! Your in depth analyzing of the family and animal magnetism was very interesting to read! I really liked how you talked about lack of balance is viewed as like an illness, and that Addie is what is causing a "blockage" in their flow of life. I thought your post was really well written!
ReplyDeleteHey! I think this was an excellent analysis of how animal magnetism was used in the book, with Addie being a kind of hindrance, and how the journey, like animal magnetism, may have been in vain. Cash and Darl definitely have some interesting points in this book, like Cash trying to find balance through carpentry, and Darl 's focus on continuity and nature. They are definitely trying to make sense out of a chaotic situation. Great work!
ReplyDeleteHi Renee! I love the idea of animal magnetism as a tool to reveal the antagonistic motives behind the different characters. I think I personally overstate the name of ANIMAL magnetism and I forget that it can be done among all "living" things (like water) and not just through animate organisms. I really like your concept of Addie acting as a liquid to the Bundrens, guiding yet misleading them through their journey.
ReplyDeleteHi Renee! Very interesting blog, and as I was reading, it made me think of another time in the story where Addie was insistent on getting up the next day, thinking she would feel better, so I wonder if she even believed in animal magnetism and thought she was all misaligned? Anyway, your blog pointed out some interesting stuff, like the fact that a lot of the characters are in tune with it in different ways, with Cash (as far as I know) being the only one to reference animal magnetism by name, Darl and Anse being more metaphorical with the concept, and lastly Addie being a more physical representation of the family as a whole being misaligned. I think your blog did a great job of pointing that out!
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