Post by jqueller9 on Oct 17, 2011 20:17:13 GMT -5
Vardaman is still having trouble understanding the meaning of Addie's death. His reaction to Addie's coffin slipping underwater demonstrates his inability to process that his mother is no longer living. After frantically rushing into the water to try to salvage the coffin, Vardaman says, "even if she did fight he would not let her go" (151). Vardaman still thinks of his mother as an active person who is capable of fighting and making her own decisions. He is unable to abandon this person, and recognizes that his attachment to his mother is the strongest. When speaking about Darl, Vardaman says, "he was seeing me and he would hold her" (151). Vardaman acknowledges that Darl exerts every effort to save the coffin upon seeing Vardaman and understanding his connection to Addie. Vardaman next asks, "Where is ma, Darl?" (151). This question applies to more than just the current situation, and speaks to Vardaman's difficulty in comprehending his mother's sudden absence; Vardaman refers to Addie as if she is still alive and just missing. He says, "you let her get away" (151). Vardaman blames Darl for Addie's disappearance, never condemning Addie. Vardaman's idealized view of his mother may be exacerbating his inability to process that she will be permanently removed from his life.