This paper aims to examine the meaning of the Bundren’s Journey in Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying. Many critics insist that the Bundren’s journey is the heroic adventure because it shows us man’s power to act and to endure. This perspective, however, does not make sense when we consider the predicament of alienation and isolation which the Bundrens suffer from. Thus, I explore the meaning of funeral journey in terms of “failed love.”In As I Lay Dying William Faulkner shows multiple narrators revolving around Addie’ dead body. We can find out failed love among family members in the Bundrens in multiple perspectives. They all suffer from alienation and isolation. Although Addie is very different from Anse in view of their life styles, they live a life of alienation and isolation. Darl is the family sacrifice, an unwanted son. Betrayed by Dewey Dell and assaulted by Jewel, Darl is taken away to the asylum. Jewel is depressed because of the loss of his affectionate horse. Cash is not comfortable because he has a broken leg. Dewey Dell and Vardaman are also in anxiety and fear.
Finally, even though Anse gets a new wife, William Faulkner manifests that we should realize the importance of mutual communication and love in order to keep a healthy family through the Bundrens’ funeral journey.