# Vernon Tull — As I Lay Dying character guide > Vernon Tull in As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Vernon, Vernon Tull, Tull, Mr. Tull **First appearance:** 0009-tull ## Snapshot A neighboring farmer who lends his team, his patience, and his steady hands to the Bundrens, and watches their errand with a mixture of pity and exasperation. ## Who they are Tull is the practical neighbor who shows up when the coffin needs finishing and the family needs hauling, standing in the rain beside Cash while Anse mutters about the wetting. He is decent, tired, and quietly judgmental, the kind of man who does the work and then goes home to his wife's hymns and complaints. Through his eyes the Bundrens look less like heroes and more like a burden the whole county is asked to carry. ## Relationships ### [Jewel Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/jewel_bundren) _social_ Jewel views Tull with contempt and impatience, while Tull observes him with wary curiosity. ### [Cash Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/cash_bundren) _friendship_ Mutual respect between a practical carpenter and a helpful neighbor; Tull admires Cash's skill. ### [Darl Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/darl_bundren) _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) _social_ Neighbor and young woman; Tull is kindly but distant, while Dewey Dell is absorbed in her own crisis. ### [Anse Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/anse_bundren) _social_ Neighbors; Anse constantly borrows from Tull's goodwill, which Tull reluctantly extends out of duty. ### [Jewel Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/jewel_bundren) _social_ Jewel views Tull with contempt and impatience, while Tull observes him with wary curiosity. ### [Darl Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/darl_bundren) _social_ Neighborly acquaintances; Tull is unsettled by Darl's strange, knowing gaze and philosophical talk. ### [Cash Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/cash_bundren) _friendship_ Mutual respect between a practical carpenter and a helpful neighbor; Tull admires Cash's skill. ### [Cash Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/cash_bundren) _friendship_ Mutual respect between a practical carpenter and a helpful neighbor; Tull admires Cash's skill. ### [Jewel Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/jewel_bundren) _social_ Jewel views Tull with contempt and impatience, while Tull observes him with wary curiosity. ### [Darl Bundren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/darl_bundren) _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) _social_ Neighbor and young woman; Tull is kindly but distant, while Dewey Dell is absorbed in her own crisis. ## In the story ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) His wagon is seen by the spring, hitched and loaded with chairs. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Present on the porch with Anse; noted for never going to town in overalls. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Spits neatly and offers commentary, suggesting Addie seems better and will hold on. ### [Dewey Dell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/dewey-dell) Referred to as 'old turkey-buzzard Tull' coming to watch Addie die, but Dewey Dell believes she can fool him. ### [Tull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/tull) Narrator and observer; reflects on Anse's helplessness and the community's role. ### [Tull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/tull) Narrator of the chapter; he is reluctant to go to the Bundrens but eventually helps, reflecting on judgment and the burdens of others. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Helps Cash with the coffin, holding boards steady and assisting despite the rain. ### [Tull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/tull) Narrator and observer of the community's response to Addie's death. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Seen standing in his lot, lifting his hand as the wagon passes. ### [Tull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/tull) Narrates the scene, observing the Bundrens and refusing to let his mule be used for the crossing. ### [Tull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/tull) Narrates the chapter, describing the bridge crossing and his own fear and disbelief at the journey. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Seen on the far bank, waving and shouting directions to the Bundrens. ### [Vardaman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/vardaman) Present at the crossing but refuses to enter the water to help Darl, frustrating Vardaman. ### [Tull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/tull) Narrator of the chapter, describing the river crossing and his conversation with Cora. ### [Darl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/chapters/darl) Assists Jewel in searching for the tools, holding the rope and debating the best method to retrieve them. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters/vernon_tull - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_i_lay_dying_se/characters