A+Symptom+of+the+Family's+Problem

We were talking about how Darl went crazy at the end of the book the other day in class, and I remember Br. Tom saying something that really struck me. He said that when one person acts out in such a way as this, it's a symptom of the whole family's problem. I thought this was intriguing because Darl was the only one to actually snap; he was the only one who made an outward sign that everything wasn't right. Darl was the scapegoat of the family, and because he was the symptom of the family's problems, he was the one that paid for it the most. I just thought it was wrong that Darl was the one who was treated in this way because he was just showing that there was a problem while everyone else was denying it. Why didn't any of the other family members act out? Why was it Darl that had to be the most obvious symptom? 1204250835

This is very interesting. It makes me think of that theory that when children act out and misbehave, it's a reflection of the parents. Darl was a reflection of his family's problems. But I disagree that Darl was the only one who showed that their was a problem (after all, Dewey Dell was seeking an abortion, and Vardaman thought his mother was a fish). He just happened to be the one whom everyone focused on. He ended up being the scapegoat, because they were trying to hide their family problems by labeling him as insane and "taking care of the problem". And I'm not sure that Darl actually snapped, either. I won't say he was probably a little bit crazy, but I would venture to say that the entire family is a couple sandwiches short of a picnic. Again, I think Darl just got blamed and made the focus because his actions were more visible to the rest of the community, and they were trying to hide it. 1204252325

Well, I believe that Jewel was another family member that did act out. He saw the injustices of this family and tried to love and protect his mother more because of it by saving her from the water and the fire. I believe Darl was the only one to actually snap because he was the only one to know the complete truth about each of the characters. He was the only one who knew that Dewey Dell was pregnant. Thus, because Darl was the all-knowing eye, he was the one who snapped. I believe that his knowledge led to his apparent "madness." In addition, I almost think that when he was being transported on the train he was laughing at the complete irony of the situation and almost laughing at them for being stuck in their disfuntional state. Any other comments? 1204252443

I like what you said kva about Darl laughing at the family. That seems to fit because he understands that it is not him who is crazy, but it is the rest of the family. Darl thinks that the whole Bundren clan is insane for going to Jefferson and not just burying their mother at home. He tried to stop the madness with the fire but the family reversed it and made him look mad. And I agree, Darl probably isn't the most sane person. I was thinking about why Darl was the one to actually go "crazy." And then I thought that perhaps it has something to do with where he is in the family. Cash was the first born, always a blessing. Jewel was the love child, Dewey Dell was the negation, and Vardaman was the replacement. And Darl.... he is just Darl. He was second in line, no real significance. I think the fact that Darl was kind of "different" and that he really didn't "belong", i guess you could say, is why he went a little crazy in the end. He finally was free of the madness that is the Bundren family. 1204254208

Given all the events, I think Darl just snapped. I do agree with the others that this is an obvious reflection of the dysfunctional Bundren family. I think the reason that Darl snapped was because of his overall nature. From the very beginning he seemed to be the most rational and grounded of all the siblings, even if he was a tad odd with his supernatural ability to know things. The ultimate madness of the family was reflected in him. szd's point made me realize me own as Darl being the unloved child, at least from Addie's point of view. Cash broke forever her solitude. Jewel was the love child. Vardaman and Dewey Dell were the replacement/negation for Jewel. Darl snuck up on Addie and made her tell Anse that she wasn't having any more children, which meant she wasn't having any more of him either. Darl is the whole reason Addie declares revenge, too. I wonder if some of his snapping had to do with this as well. Being the black sheep of the family, unwanted by his own mother, maybe he wouldn't care how they got rid of the body. What does everyone else think? 1204262720