Black Comedy in As I Lay Dying

Black comedy is comedy that is sarcastic and/or makes fun of persons, places, or situations. It is an important element of "As I Lay Dying" which adds not only a touch of humor, but also aids the reader in recognizing the highly irrational thinking of the Bundrens. Black comedy points out the disheveled logic of their thoughts through humourous outcomes. The opening gives a clear visualization of Cash working towards perfection on his mother's …

…Bundren doesn't know how to take care of himself. Addie was always there to prepare the meals, and watch the children, and do the laundry and clean up. Anse wouldn't even know where to begin if he ever thought that he could work without killing himself. The the tale of the Bundren family is overflowing with black comedy. William Faulkner uses black comedy to indirectly take the reader through the thought processes of the Bundrens.