As I Lay Dying Versions of Reality Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Section.Paragraph) Every "section" is marked by a shift in narrative point of view.

Quote #1

He said he knew without the words like he told me that ma is going to die without words, and I knew he knew because if he had said he knew with the words I would not have believed that he had been there and saw us. (7.3)

Dewey Dell and Darl’s strange ability to communicate without words is the first indication that Darl has strange, magical narrative capabilities – it’s also the first indication that he’s crazy.

Quote #2

I have said and I say again, that’s ever living thing the matter with Darl: he just thinks by himself too much.

People mistake Darl’s pensiveness for insanity.

Quote #3

My mother is a fish.

The way Vardaman deals with his mother’s death is not dissimilar to Darl’s own surreal thought processes.