Darl's Omniscience

[bvanderschaaf9]

When I first read Darl's 5th chapter (starts p. 47) I was confused about whether the italicized text was a flashback, reality, or some sort of dream. Even knowing what we know now, the first two lines of the chapter make it seem like the plain text could be describing what he thinks the scene would look like ("Pa stands beside the bed. From behind his leg Vardaman peers..."), but then the dialogue and details refute that. The italicized events seem to be occurring simultaneously with the events at the Bundrens' home because both are written in the present tense. If the italics signify Darl's physical presence and the regular writing is his omniscient eye, then I wonder how much of the future chapters are going to be affected by his omniscience, and if it will be as apparent as in this chapter. A few other questions: Why does Faulkner include an omniscient narrator in addition to the many other povs? Does Darl's omniscience play a role only in the point of view, or will it also have an impact on the plot?

[mmazzucco9]

I was also confused by the italicized text in Darl's section. After rereading the section a few times I believe the first and third pieces of italicized text are Darl. However, not what he knows is going on at the Bundren household, rather what is occurring at that moment between Darl and Jewel. The first and last appear to be Darl describing the actions of Jewel at moments throughout their journey. Darl mentions the ditches found along the path and the problems the two are facing with the water and wood. This would lead me to believe that it is during their work to earn three dollars.
The second section of italicized text has stumped me though. It is clearly not from Darl's perspective as seen in the last line, "Nobody would have to know it except you and me and Darl" (51). It must be from another perspective and in order for Faulkner to differentiate the point of view for the reader Faulkner places the section in italics.
I am under the impression that Darl will continue to expand his omniscient narrator duty by expanding the amount of scenes in which he undertakes this role. He was omniscient briefly in the beginning and now he has been omniscient for a few pages. He might possibly be an omniscient narrator for longer stretches of time later in the novel.
I think Faulkner includes an omniscient narrator in order to hold all of the povs together. If there was no narrator I feel the story would truly lose cohesion, but the presence of Darl's narration holds it together so that the reader does not lose complete sight of what is happening. Also, if another one of the characters were to describe what happened when Addie passed away the scene would have been very different. Darl's chapters can be understood and are clear therefore he provides a clear view of key scenes.

[willhogge11]

I definitely agree with Mark about the 1st and 3rd sets of italicized writing. The second, however is definitely a mix of many characters. For example, there are clear areas where it is Cash talking, like when he says "Suffering more than we knew"(51), areas where it seems to be the typical Darl style, and then at the end it follows the uneducated talk of Dewey-Dell. This is what we talked about in class. The reason however why Faulkner chose to do this a little more complicated. I think he chose to use this sort of nonsensical approach was to excplain the character of Darl. In the other tewo italicized section, it is clearly Darl. Yet, he is describing commentary and action that he could not have possibly known was happening. This gives him the appearence of an omniscient character, and this is what Faulkner is trying to show here. He is taking this a step further by portraying that Darl is in the thoughts of the other characters. In ohter words, it is still Darl speaking, but Faulkner is representing his omniscient qualities by showing Darl speaking in the tone and with the thought process of other characters.

[nzahorodny09]

In regards to your final question, I would be surprised if Darl's alleged omniscience affects the plot in any overt way. My sense of Darl in the reading thus far is that of a passive character, content, for whatever reason, to allow fate to unravel, for the most part, as it will. He does, in the instance of leaving with Jewel before Addie's death, direct the action subtly, but there is no evidence that this decision was the result of any clairvoyance or second sight.