In Tull's section, we are also introduced to Vardaman and the fish that he has just caught, both of which will become very important in later chapters. Likewise, Tull also makes an observation about the weather, thinking that it is soon going to rain. This rain will hinder the trip that the Bundrens must make toward Jefferson.
In an earlier section, we had seen Anse Bundren say, as though he were a completely self-sufficient and independent person, that he will never be beholden to any person. In Tull's section, we receive an outside view of how independent Anse really is. Tull comments that he has helped Anse for so much of their lives that it would be difficult for him to stop helping him now. Consequently, Tull's statement conforms to Darl's analysis of his father, and we are beginning to realize that Anse is a totally ineffectual individual who needs someone to take care of him. The ineffectuality of Anse, of course, leads us directly into the next section, which is narrated by Anse himself.
Anse Bundren's main occupation is sitting on the porch and watching the road, which he resents because he had to pay taxes in order to build the road. But even the smallest task is a great hardship for Anse. When he tries to explain something, his thoughts become totally confused. Any effort to accomplish something requires a great deal of deliberation, and he finds as many excuses as possible to avoid doing any work at all.
The arrival of the doctor is also told first through Anse's point of view. This is significant because Anse begrudges the money that he has to pay the doctor. His only interest is in getting his false teeth, and if he has to pay the doctor because of Addie's sickness, he will not be able to get them. We also realize that Anse would never have called the doctor on his own volition. Anse's desire to get his teeth will later play a strong role in motivating his promise to take Addie to Jefferson to bury her.
