The differences between the two novels Women of Brewsters place by Gloria Naylor and As I lay dying by William Faulkner
The differences between the two novels Women of Brewster's place by Gloria Naylor and As I lay dying by William Faulkner are many and varied. They differ in their tone, style, handling of characters and overall continuity. That, however, is not the topic of this essay. What I will be assessing is how these two authors handle the theme of family. Do they find that family is a support or a trap for the individuals in the story? Maybe both. Do they differ in their way of thinking or are they of one mind on the subject? I will start by dissecting each story based on these ideas, then I will compare the two ways of thinking. In Gloria Naylor's Women of Brewster's place, there are quite a few individuals, each with her own story and her own trials and tribulations. I will follow the flow of the story and talk about the characters in the same order as she has. Mattie Michael has had a hard life. She persisted on loving her son, even though he brought her no end of grief. In that sense, she was trapped by her love for him, but that same love, when transferred onto Ettae Mae Johnson, did bring joy in the form of companionship in her later days. Also, she was the impromptu mother-figure for most of Brewster's plac
Overall, the Bundrens find themselves trapped by the promise of Anse to Addie to bring her to Jefferson. A trap due to her own limited outlook on life. She could not deny her parents love for her, but at the same time could not abide by their passive role in the African-American community. While keeping that promise, though, they find themselves having to rely on each other's support and subsequently grow somewhat closer as a family. The closest example we could find of Anse in Gloria Naylor's novel would be Luciella's husband. In Women of Brewster's place, we find many stories with entrapment in them, but ultimately the family, whether direct or indirect, comes through. Cora Lee's family was plainly a trap for her. Although she was supported and loved by her family, Kiswana saw them as an impediment to her life as seen by her independent eyes. They all belonged to these streets, not many wanting to be here and most knowing they could never get out. That might be the only case in both stories where love of family outweighs the traps that come along with it. Mattie is a surrogate mother, Etta Mae a loving sister, Kiswana a loving child, Ciel a needy daughter, Cora Lee a confused child and Theresa and Louise the odd couple. He can't think, except in anger, of anything but her. Even in her death, Addie Bundren manages to keep her family together.
Common topics in this essay:
Kiswana Browne,
Theresa Lorraine,
Cora Lee's,
William Faulkner,
Women Brewster's,
Mattie Michael,
Bundren Alive,
Anse Addie,
Gloria Naylor's,
Anse Bundren,
sense family,
gloria naylor's,
women brewster's,
gloria naylor's novel,
naylor's novel,
cora lee,
trapped love,
cora lee's,
mattie michael,
addie bundren,
bring jefferson,
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Acceptance Essays
