As I Lay Dying Summer ProjectCreated by Ms. Amaro

AssignmentCharacter astrology signs

After reading brief descriptions of astrology or sun signs, figure out which signs you think THREE of the main characters from your book was born under.

Write an explanation of why you think they fit the signs, drawing on their actions, attitudes, and thoughts from the book.

Cash Bundren: Taurus

Taurus Qualities● Patient● Solid● Practical● Stable● Gentle● Self-reliant● Slow● Reliable● Affectionate● Building● Supportive

Cash Bundren

● Cash works long and hard on building Addie’s coffin, which shows that he is patient, reliable, stable, and self-reliant

● Cash is affectionate toward his siblings, especially Darl

● Cash does not complain about the pain in his leg, and is supportive of his family and their goal of getting Addie’s coffin to Jefferson

Jewel Bundren: Aries

Aries Qualities● Aggressive● Bold● Impulsive● Energetic● Fast● Fearless● Impatient● Assertive● Daring● Competitive● Self-centered● Bossy● Angry

Jewel Bundren● Jewel owns a horse and he is often

aggressive and violent toward it● Jewel is very independent and impulsive,

and he is usually on his own● Jewel is fast on his horse and has a lot of

physical energy● He does not express his feelings easily,

and can be self-centered● He can get very angry at other people,

and will be bold enough to tell them how they bothered him

Vardaman Bundren: Pisces

Pisces Qualities● Compassionate● Impressionable● Dreamy● Sacrificial● Romantic● Sensitive● Misunderstood● Confused● Devoted● Idealistic● Imaginative● Fantasizing

Vardaman Bundren● Vardaman is the youngest member of the

Bundren family● He is very sensitive and cries over the

death of his mother● Vardaman has a big imagination, and sees

a connection between a fish he caught and his mother

● He is misunderstood by most people, but especially Tull

● He is romantic and idealistic about his family and the possibility of getting a toy train for Christmas

Some Personal Connections

● My first pet was a beta fish named William, named after both Faulkner and Shakespeare

● My second pet was another beta fish named Quentin, after a character in another Faulkner novel The Sound and the Fury

● I see a bit of myself in all the Bundren children, but especially Jewel, who acts tough but who actually has a big heart

EmpathyWhy is it important to try to understand other people’s experiences?

Seeing things from other people’s perspectives allows us to understand them moreAs I Lay Dying opens up each character’s mind to us, and we get to see the same events from many perspectivesThinking about each character’s personality in the book helps us avoid being judgmental and jumping to conclusions about other people

SourcesFaulkner, William. As I Lay Dying: The Corrected

Text. New York: Vintage, 1990. Print.

"Creating Character Depth With Astrological Signs." "Characters According to Astrological Sign" by C.J. Winters. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Aug. 2014.

Reminders● Your project must have a creative

component AND an oral presentation● Your oral presentation should be 4-5

minutes long● You should make personal connections to

the text● Presentations will start on Wednesday● Email me if you have any other questions

or concerns!