Mud and other things

I know this post is a bit past the deadline but hopefully what I have to say was worth the wait. I've only gotten to the section named Addie where I thought it was fitting to stop and assess all that has happened thus far before I confuse everything by reading the words of a dead woman. As I've been reading the preceding twenty to thirty pages I noticed the mud and buzzard references that Mr. Andrews was talking about in class (I fear that's all I'm ever going to notice now that he has pointed it out). One example is when Darl describes the mud as "not still. It has a chill, scouring quality, as though the earth under us were in motion too" (159). To me it seems like he is describing the mud as being alive, which is different because earlier we see the mud streak itself on Addie's coffin and then later after the river scene on page 162 I think Anse tries to wipe off two mud smears from the coffin. I don't know if the mud is supposed to be connected with death or life or if it's just supposed to be mud. Another thing I noticed was that from the way that Faulkner described the river scene it reminded me of the parting of the red sea. Also, the smears on the coffin remind me of the smears that the Hebrews put on their doors for Passover. These are just musings from a sleep deprived student at 1:42 am so feel free to disagree. Good night!