What makes one individualistic and why does the whole population present contrasting characters? The self refers to the conscious, the reflective personality of an individual, but can one's environment, hobbies, own self- knowledge, and physical appearance reflect to the individual's persona? And if one loses the ingredients which make up who he is, does one lose himself? Faulkner extends on this unsettled matter in his book, As I Lay Dying. He presents the ideals of self through the symbolic staging of Cash's tools which contribute in expanding on how these tools exhibit Cash's true identity and self, which is lost when his tools or not by his side, and each follow to distinguish a distinct Bundren, as if each member is given identity when presented as a whole tool box; an identity which is swiftly lost in division.

Cash is identified as a carpenter, because...