Why Cash Deserves Better

When creating and writing heroes, there's always a fear of making them too powerful, perfect, and therefore completely unrelatable. Luckily (or maybe not) for us, there's none of that in As I Lay Dying, each character in the book being undeniably flawed. However, it's easy to say that some characters are more deserving of their hardships than others, and after reading the book I've come to a single conclusion: 

Cash 👏 Bundren  👏 deserves 👏 so  👏 much  👏 better 👏

In the midst of Addie's tragic death and the heartbreak that follows, Cash is the only family member who really can't catch a break. By being in charge of making the coffin for his mother, he is forced to deal with the reality of her inevitable death more than any of his siblings--her final resting spot literally rests in his hands. Not once does he complain or ask for help. Rather, he continues to work on the coffin with a "jeweler's care," pouring his heart and soul into this final tribute to his mother in the most endearing yet heart wrenching way.

There is so much thought put into his project, as well, as we can see from the first chapter Cash narrates, which is solely dedicated his building process and his reasoning. "I made it on the bevel," he says...and just wow. He seems to take everything into account: how to protect the coffin from water the stresses it will go through, how much surface area is needed, etc. Nowhere is his grief or any sort of hesitation mentioned--he just continues to march on and do the best work he can for Addie, and I find that really admirable. 

This is obviously for Addie, but a part of it is also for himself, as shown by the way he holds the coffin up for Addie to see through the window before she dies. By doing a good job and getting her approval, it's like he can make his mother proud one last time. It's almost like building this coffin is a coping mechanism for him; it's something he can divert all his attention to so he doesn't have to deal with his emotions head on.

However, instead of being thanked or even acknowledged for the burden he has taken on, he's ridiculed. Jewel criticizes him, grumbling about how Cash continues to build the coffin right in front of Addie. Additionally, when the Bundrens get into town all the townspeople just roast thing and call it a box. Like, hello??? My boy made it on the  b e v e l. He slaved over that coffin and all he gets is disrespect. Unbelievable. 

Cash protested at crossing the flooded river, yet he's the one who gets hurt the most in the end despite his common sense. He rebreaks his leg, and rather than prioritizing his health, his family brushes past him and his need for medical care. Even when the matron in town begs Anse to reconsider using concrete for his leg, Anse does it anyways so they can continue on with the family's journey. Cash's needs and wants are never looked after in this story. 

He just wanted a gramophone like pure cinnamon roll child he is and what does he get? An amputated leg. Where is the justice? Nowhere to be found. Just like Anse's teeth.