白眼の姫 answers “Spoiler!: I don't understand why Darl is...”

A Goodreads user asked this question about As I Lay Dying:

Spoiler!: I don't understand why Darl is considered mad? His Pa at the end of the novel ends up with a new wife calling her Miss Bundren and the with the money buys hisself new teeth. Darl's actions of setting the barn on fire to stop the horrible venture seemed right to be but ended in his madness, or because he was mad all along?

白眼の姫 well I guess it's because he was different, he tried to connect with everyone, and he knew their secrets and all the characters are antisocial in the …morewell I guess it's because he was different, he tried to connect with everyone, and he knew their secrets and all the characters are antisocial in the book so for them his actions weren't right. Also he was a bit nihilsitic and not to mention that he liked looking at people in a weird way and also he doesn't even care about his mother's death. also Cash said that if someone is considered mad by people than he or she is mad. I suppose the book also shows the absurdity of Darl being mad. because his action to burn down the barn is the most normal thing during the book. so I guess even in real life the normal things are considered weird for no actual reason.
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