Thoughts about Addie

I have been thinking about Addie. She married Anse for whatever reason. Back then, divorce was extremely unheard of and never thought of in a girl like Addie. I imagine she found out very quickly her new husband was lazy and useless. He used others, her and even their own children.

Unlike Anse, Addie seemed to have values. She taught her sons not to lie and deceive others. Only to protect her own children from their lazy father did she herself deceive others. She accepted her situation for what it was and tried to keep some bit of pride in her family.

Around her Christian neighbors and friends, Addie acted like things were okay. The reality was the only person she was fooling was herself. Even Addie’s own children knew their father was lazy and didn’t know how to break a sweat. She worked herself as hard as she could for the children’s sake and her own pride.

When Addie died, Anse didn’t even allow time for Dewey Dell to cry over her mother’s body. She tried, but then he ordered her to cook the fish. Who was Vardaman’s mother because Vardaman’s mother is a fish. Except she is not a fish, she’s a horse because Jewel’s mother is a horse. And if Jewel’s is then his mother was. And if his mother was, then they are.

Wow, that stuff can drive you crazy!

P.S. I wrote this ten minutes before I read Addie's chapter on pg. 169. Okay, never mind what I said about her values, they are extremely askew. I actually am finding Anse a more likeable person than her. No wonder their children were so messed up. I have to go read more but I really think she is mean. I now get the reference to the Greek myth where the wife gets revenge. Like I said, crazy stuff!