Clownish Goobers

     Although the Bundren's intentions may appear noble at first, their foolish actions, selfish motives, and absurd decisions make the Bundren clan a crazy collection of clownish goobers, not heros. Despite having some heroic intentions, the execution of their goals often proves disastrous and at times so tragic it is ironic. One example of this is the Bundren's goal that leads to their journey, to take their mother to be buried where they promised her they would. Their goal seems heroic but due to the multiple perspectives we learn that they all have alternative reasons for wanting to go on the journey. At least for me, this made the Bundren's seem less heroic and more selfish. Additionally, the brutal mutilation and decomposition of Addie's body, and the measely eigth word mention of her burial showed the Bundren's lack of care for their wife and mother due to their preoccupation with their own wants. 

    We see other examples of not so heroic acts throughout the book. If I were to tell you, with no other context, that a family crossed a river with no bridge to transport their dead mother to the place she wished to be buried it could seem rather heroic. However, if I then mentioned that they did it despite being warned them not to, their mules all drown, the coffin falls into the river, someone breaks their leg, and they lost all their tools in the river, it seems drastically less heroic. 

    Similar situtations are also present on a smaller scale. Even Vardaman has heroic intentions that end badly. Vardaman is concerned that Addie will suffocate in the coffin so he drills holes in the coffin. However, while doing so he bores holes into his mother's body. Jewel also has many similar instances.  Jewel seems to be heroic when he volunteers to go in front to lead the wagon across the river. But after they get across Jewel's attention moves away from the well being of his family in the wagon and focuses on his horse instead of the unconcious Cash and Addie's coffin that is down the river.

    We can see that many characters in the book agree that the Bundrens are not heros. The Tulls, especially Cora, Peobody, Gillespie, and other people they stay with all state that they should have buried Addie closer to home. They all comment on how their actions seem disrepectful and often foolish. Overall, the Bundren's appear to be clowish goobers that fail to be heroic in potentiallly heroic situations.