# Darl Bundren — As I Lay Dying character guide > Darl Bundren in As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Darl, Darl Pa, Pa **First appearance:** 0002-darl ## Snapshot The second Bundren son who sees too clearly and speaks too truly, narrating his family's grim errand with a poet's eye and a prophet's burden. ## Who they are Darl is the watchful, awry-haired Bundren whose interior monologues carry much of the journey, a man whose uncanny perception sets him apart from his kin. Cora Tull insists he alone inherited Addie's nature and natural affection, yet his knowing gaze unsettles everyone it touches, including Jewel, whom he needles about his parentage. His habit of seeing past surfaces makes him both the family's sharpest witness and its most alienated member, and his voice shapes how the reader understands every mile toward Jefferson. ## Relationships ### [Cash Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/cash_bundren) _family_ Close brothers; Cash is loyal and practical while Darl is introspective, creating a quiet bond. ### [Jewel Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/jewel_bundren) _family_ Brothers with deep antagonism; Darl's perceptiveness clashes with Jewel's fierce, inarticulate nature. ### [Dewey Dell Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/dewey_dell_bundren) _family_ Brother and sister; Darl's uncanny insight into Dewey Dell's pregnancy creates a tense, invasive dynamic. ### [Vernon Tull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/vernon_tull) _social_ Neighborly acquaintances; Tull is unsettled by Darl's strange, knowing gaze and philosophical talk. ### [Armstid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/armstid) _social_ Farmer and traveler; Armstid offers help but is bewildered by Darl's odd behavior and the Bundren chaos. ### [Cash Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/cash_bundren) _family_ Close brothers; Cash is loyal and practical while Darl is introspective, creating a quiet bond. ### [Jewel Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/jewel_bundren) _family_ Brothers with deep antagonism; Darl's perceptiveness clashes with Jewel's fierce, inarticulate nature. ### [Jewel Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/jewel_bundren) _family_ Brothers with deep antagonism; Darl's perceptiveness clashes with Jewel's fierce, inarticulate nature. ### [Cash Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/cash_bundren) _family_ Close brothers; Cash is loyal and practical while Darl is introspective, creating a quiet bond. ### [Vernon Tull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/vernon_tull) _social_ Neighborly acquaintances; Tull is unsettled by Darl's strange, knowing gaze and philosophical talk. ### [Dewey Dell Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/dewey_dell_bundren) _family_ Brother and sister; Darl's uncanny insight into Dewey Dell's pregnancy creates a tense, invasive dynamic. ### [Armstid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/armstid) _social_ Farmer and traveler; Armstid offers help but is bewildered by Darl's odd behavior and the Bundren chaos. ## In the story ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrator of the chapter; observes Jewel and Cash with detached clarity. ### [Cora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/cora) Passes through the hall without looking into the room. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrator; reflects on water, childhood, and his family's dynamics. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrates the chapter, urging Anse to decide quickly about the haul. ### [Cora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/cora) Praised by Cora for his natural affection; stands silently at the door to say goodbye to his dying mother. ### [Dewey Dell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/dewey-dell) Perceives Dewey Dell's secret without words and tells her Addie will die before he and Jewel return from the haul. ### [Anse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/anse) Darl is mentioned as being 'talked out of him' by others, and Anse complains about the law threatening to take him away. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrator and observer; confronts Jewel and Dewey Dell about Addie's impending death. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrates the chapter, observing the death from a distance and repeatedly calling to Jewel, trying to convey that Addie has died. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrates the chapter, lying awake in a strange room, contemplating identity and existence. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrates the scene, reflecting on his lack of a mother and Jewel's bond with the horse. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrates the scene, observing the physical and emotional struggle of carrying Addie's coffin. ### [Vardaman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/vardaman) Engages Vardaman in a philosophical dialogue about being and non-being, asserting he has no mother. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrator and observer of the family's departure, noting details of Dewey Dell and the vultures. ### [Anse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/anse) Sits on the plank seat laughing above Addie's coffin, causing Anse's ire. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrator and observer of the journey, noting details of the landscape and family members. ### [Dewey Dell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/dewey-dell) Drives the wagon; Dewey Dell considers persuading him to turn; he tries to get Jewel's attention. ### [Tull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/tull) Quietly observes, his gaze unsettling to Tull, and questions Tull's refusal to risk his mule. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrator and observer of Jewel's secret activities; reflects on family dynamics and deceit. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrates the river crossing, observing the scene with detached, almost philosophical commentary. ### [Vardaman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/vardaman) Attempts to retrieve Addie's body from the water during the crossing; described as strong and determined but ultimately fails. ### [Tull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/tull) Jumps from the wagon during the crossing, which Cora sees as sensible. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrator of the chapter; observes the recovery of Cash's tools with detached, almost philosophical commentary. ### [Cora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/cora) Mentioned as the child who truly loved Addie but was neglected by her. ### [Addie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/addie) Mentioned as another child Addie refused to breastfeed after his time was up. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrates the chapter, observes the family's actions and Jewel's interaction with the horse. ### [Armstid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/armstid) Calmly exposes Anse's trade of Cash's money; brings Cash's tools and helps during the leg-setting. ### [Vardaman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/vardaman) Adjusts Cash's leg ropes, talks with Vardaman and Cash, and comments on the mules' condition. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrates the chapter, mixes cement for Cash's leg, and reflects on the raveling out of their lives. ### [Vardaman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/vardaman) Addressed by Vardaman; walking with the family. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrates the chapter, taunts Jewel about his parentage, and helps pour water on Cash's leg. ### [Vardaman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/vardaman) Explains to Vardaman that Addie is talking to God and wants to hide away from man to lay down her life. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrator and observer of the barn fire; he tries to stop Jewel from re-entering the barn. ### [Vardaman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/vardaman) Mentioned as absent; Vardaman says he is out under the apple tree with Addie, keeping the cat away. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Narrates the chapter; observes the reactions of others and mediates the conflict between Jewel and the white man. ### [Cash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/cash) Subject of Cash's reflections; set fire to Gillespie's barn and is being taken to an asylum. ### [Vardaman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/vardaman) Referenced repeatedly as the brother who went crazy and was sent to Jackson on the train. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Darl is being transported to an asylum in Jackson, laughing incessantly, and reflects on his own state of mind. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/darl_bundren - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters